The delcambre shrimp festival 2010

The third full weekend of every August something wonderful takes place. People from all over Acadiana converge on the small town of Delcambre (pronounced DELL-come), Louisiana to celebrate the most important things in their lives. This celebration honors friends, family, and the area’s most important industry, shrimp.

The Delcambre Shrimp Festival began 60 years ago and is one of the longest running Louisiana festivals. The festival highlights Delcambre's, and indeed one of Louisiana's, economic strongholds which is the shrimp industry.

What is the shrimp festival?

The festival features beauty pageants, a parade of boats, carnival rides, wonderful Cajun music, and of course food. But not just any old festival food mind you. Most of the foods available at the Delcambre Shrimp Festival are cooked with fresh Louisiana Gulf shrimp. All things being equal, it is the food that is showcase of this event.

One of the most anticipated events at every year's shrimp festival is the shrimp cookoff. This is an event where anyone who thinks they are worth their salt around pots, pans, and fire can compete to prove their worth and take home the $500.00 1st place prize.

While the money may be nice, it is surely the bragging rights that the contestants are after. And the competition is taken very seriously. Take a look at the rules for participating.

Some of the shrimp dishes to look for

Classic Cajun dishes as well as some newer recipes are all well represented at the shrimp festival. Not to sound like Bubba Gump here, but some of the dishes are:

• boiled shrimp
• fried shrimp
• shrimp etouffée
• shrimp sauce piquant
• grilled shrimp
• various shrimp pastas
• shrimp stew
• shrimp salad
• shrimp gumbo...you get the idea.

Will the oil spill affect this year's festival?

In a word, no. Louisiana's seafood has traditionally been some of the safest food in the world. Since the BP oil disaster, Louisiana's seafood has undergone rigorous, continuous testing. As of this date there has been no hydrocarbons found in any Louisiana seafood product.

Cajuns, and Louisianians in general, are an incredibly tenacious bunch of people. This festival will go on, and with all of the grandeur, food, fun, and music of years past.

Do your part

Take the time this weekend to go to Delcambre. Take part in one of Louisiana's richest traditions, have some of the most fun you have had in a long time, and help support one of the greatest resources in Louisiana, people and shrimping.

Stay hungry.