The first night of the 68th Annual Delcambre Shrimp Festival kicked off its first day Wednesday night.
The smells of seasoning and fried food fill the air, all thanks to committed volunteers.
“It’s all volunteers from Delcambre. There’s no outside food vendors, so everything’s fresh from Delcambre,” said the festival’s queen, Sydney Bertrand.
“So, all the volunteers in every booth make a difference in the festival. How hard everybody works and the hours they put out allows us to be able to have the festival over and over again,” said a volunteer coordinator, Tammy Gordon.
Their work has kept the festival going for 68 years.
“I’ve been doing this for about 30 years, and it’s just a good time, and it gives back to the community. And, that’s what mainly the Shrimp Festival is about: donating money back into the community,” said one volunteer, Norma Landry.
A portion of the money raised goes back to different organizations in the Delcambre community.
“It all goes to the festival, and the festival, in turn, gives it back to so many programs throughout the schools and the community,” said Gordon.
And their work keeps festival goers coming back for more.
“But also, the food is the main issue everybody wants to come see – the great food and the great music we have and the atmosphere. Who wouldn’t want to come eat some boiled shrimp, fried shrimp and just have a good time?” said Gordon.
Most people at the festival said boiled and fried shrimp dishes are a traditional favorite.
“I do the boiling right here. Yeah, I’ve been doing the boiling for about 6 years now, I guess,” said master boiler Kevin Darbonne.
The festival is going on until Sunday. It is free Thursday and Sunday night and $10 at the gate on Friday and Saturday.
Click herefor the line-up of music and activities.
