Feature
October
20
Gumbo Draws Thousands to Chackbay
by Terry Trahan Jr.
The population of Chackbay will rise by thousands this weekend as locals and tourists pour in to the small town for a taste of gumbo and a good time.
Now in its 40th year, the three-day Louisiana Gumbo Festival will bring the local community together again Oct. 21-23 to support the Chackbay Volunteer Fire Department. The festival will be held on the department’s grounds along Highway 304.
Though the festival has been a major fundraiser for the fire department, setting a record by raising $100,000 last year, it’s also a time for the town to show visitors why former Gov. Edwin Edwards proclaimed Chackbay to be the Gumbo Capital of the World. Each year, over 15,000 people make their way to the town to share in the local food, hear a few bands, hop on rides and enjoy fellowship with neighbors.
“It started as a small fair that’s been growing every year,” said Josh Falgoust, spokesperson for the festival. “A lot of people just want to come try the gumbo and listen to the music.”
Falgoust said he can’t pinpoint why the gumbo is so good, but thinks the mouthwatering flavor may have something to do with where it’s cooked. Locals from Chackbay pitch in by cooking a few of their favorites dishes, like alligator sausage and sauce piquante. For those looking for the traditional fair food, hamburgers and hot dogs are also available.
With plenty of local cuisine, there’s also no shortage of live music and fun. Ten bands are scheduled to perform during the three-day event, including Overtime, No Exit, Bandit, Kenny Fife and the Bac Trac Band, Heart N Soul, Don Rich, Good Feelin’ Band, Ruff N Ready, Foret Tradition and Junior and Sumtin Sneaky. The music ranges from rock ’n’ roll to swamp pop and variety.
Louisiana Gumbo Festival
October 21-23
326 Highway 304, Chackbay
www.lagumbofest.com
985-633-2828
Amusement rides will also be available to those seeking a few thrills during the festival. Festivalgoers can purchase armbands that admit them to the rides for specified periods of time.
Like most festivals in south Louisiana, the Louisiana Gumbo Festival also features a festival queen. This year’s queen, Sarah Zeringue, is a human performance education major at Nicholls State University. Zeringue is also a Colonelette on the university’s dance team.
The 2011 festival also includes a new event, the Gumbo 5K run/walk, which begins at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 22.
In addition, a few local celebrities will make appearances during the event. Cast members from the History Channel’s show “Swamp People” will be available to meet festivalgoers on Saturday and Sunday. Mitchell and Glenn Guist are expected to be at the festival at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 22, and Trapper Joe and Trigger Tommy will be there at 1 p.m. Oct. 23.
“I had a lady who called and said she’s coming from Texas because her kids want to meet the Swamp People,” Falgoust said.
Though weather has attempted to hold back the fun in the past, the festival’s organizers are hoping the wind and the rain are the least of their concerns this weekend. Falgoust said they just want everyone to enjoy the festival and all that comes with it.
“The residents of the community like to come together and see people they may see only once a year at the festival,” Falgoust said. “It all goes back to this community for better fire protection.”
