ST. MARY PARISH — Morgan City is gearing up for the 84th year of the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival this Labor Day weekend.
According to the city, The festival is Louisiana’s oldest chartered harvest festival. It started in 1936 as the shrimp festival, it wasn't until the 60's that petroleum was celebrated. In 1937 they started to "to ask that God's graces be bestowed upon the fishermen and their sturdy craft" with the Blessing of the Fleet.
"The blessing of the industries is what the festival is all about. It's to give back the blessings that you get, the shrimp you catch, and now the oil you produce." This years King, William Cefalu said.
Board of director member, Rodney Grow said it wasn't as grand, but it was a celebration.
"There on it got better and better, and then we got the oil, so now we celebrate the oil." Grow said.
The festival is scheduled to run from August 29 through September 2, 2019 in downtown Morgan City. It will feature food, free live music and children activities as well as both traditional and new events including the Blessing of the Fleet, fireworks, street and water parade, arts and crafts, Royal Rumble, Mass in the Park and more.
For more information, www.shrimpandpetroleum.org.
Shrimp and Petroleum Festival events are listed below:
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Loyal to Local from 3 to 7 pm. showcasing merchants along Main Street.
The Louisiana State Museum in Patterson exhibit “From Berwick Bay to Etouffee"
The 56th Labor Day Art Show & Sale will start on Thursday, August 29th and continue through Saturday, September 2, 2019 in the downtown Everett Street Gallery. Hours are 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Monday.
Officials ribbon cutting will open the festival at 5 p.m. on Second Street under the U.S. 90 bridge.
Mitchell Brothers Carnival rides and games will begin at 5:00 p.m. and continue through Monday at 9 p.m. Bracelets will be offered Thursday, August 29th from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Monday, September 2 from noon to 9 p.m. Bracelets are $25 each.
Friday, August 30, 2019
The 31st Annual Cajun Culinary Classic, a showcase of local “home style” cooking opens from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and noon to 7:30 p.m. on Monday.
The 42nd Arts & Crafts Show & Sale will open Friday, August 30th at 5 p.m. under the U.S. 90 bridge and continue through Monday, Sept. 2nd at 9 pm.
Children’s Day activities will begin with children’s field and game events Saturday, August 31st at 9 am.
Children’s Day Mini Street Parade will begin at 11:00 a.m. Saturday. Decorated bicycles, wagons, strollers and four wheelers are welcome to participate. Registration begins at 10 a.m. in front of City Hall.
The Children’s Day King and Queen will officially open the Children’s Village with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday, August 31st at 1:00 p.m. The Children’s Village will be open Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday September 1st
Cypress Corvette Club Open Car Show will take place on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at City Hall
5K Fun Run/Walk will begin 8 a.m. start up near City Hall.
Royalty & Visiting Queens will be introduced on the Heritage Music Stage and from 2:15 pm to 4 pm
Sunday September 2nd
Mass in the Park at 8:30 a.m. Under the oaks in Lawrence Park and is open to the public. Rain site is Holy Cross Catholic Church.
Blessing of the Fleet will begin at 10 a.m. on the Atchafalaya River from the Berwick docks and is followed by the water parade featuring decorated shrimp boats, pleasure crafts, offshore supply boats.
Street Parade begins at the corner of Second and Onstead streets at 3 p.m.
Fireworks on the River will begin at 9 p.m.
------------------
Free live music performed at the Heritage Music Stage.
The music line for 2019 includes:
Friday, August 30th
6:00-8:30 p.m. Kyle Daigle
9:00-11:00 p.m Chase Tyler Band
Saturday, August 31st
Gospel Music, 12 to 2 pm,
Royal Shrimp Rumble, 2:15 pm to 4 pm, (Wrestling event)
Ross Grisham Band, 4 to 6 pm,
Travis Matte & the Kingpins, 6:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Category 6, 9 pm to 11 pm.
Sunday, September 1st
Gospel Music, 12 to 2 pm.
The Earmuffs, 2 pm to 3:30 pm,
Horace Trahan & the Ossun Express, 4 to 6 pm,
Hip Deep, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm,
Souled Out, 9 pm to 11 pm.
Monday, September 2nd,
12 pm to 1 pm – KQKI Country Music Showdown Winner – Shannon Loupe;
1:30 pm to 3 pm – Powerhouse Band;
3:30 pm to 5 pm – Blue Eyed Soul Revue;
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm – South 70
