By: Brittany Racca
There aren't many festivals that can say they've partied for generations. In celebration of the Delcambre Shrimp Festival, we talked to Tammy Gordon, the Community Relations Coordinator at the Port of Delcambre and a former Teen Shrimp Queen, about updates, parking, food options, entertainment and more.
1) What is it?
The Delcambre Shrimp Festival is home to one of the best 5 day festivals in South Louisiana. The festival has gained its popularity by providing a variety of delicious dishes and top notch entertainment including national recording artists. Enjoy signature shrimp dishes like boiled shrimp, fried shrimp, shrimp sauce piquante, shrimp salad and many more. Each and every shrimp dish consumed at the festival is prepared by volunteer members of the festival association.
2) When is it?
Always the third weekend of August.
Date: August 16-20, 2023.
Times: Wed. - Thurs. 6:30 - 10 p.m.; Fri. 6:30 - 11 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m. - 11 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. For the detailed list of times, visit the official Delcambre Shrimp Festival website.
3) Price?
This year to honor the Shrimp Festival and to thank our sponsors we won't have a gate fee on Wednesday or on Thursday when. On Friday and Saturday, kids 12 and under are free, and everyone else has a $10 gate fee, but this allows them to be front row for our performers. The rest of the festival is free to wander and explore, and there are unlimited street fair ride bracelets for $22-27 depending on the night.
4) Where is it and where can you park?
Everything is primarily at the Delcambre Shrimp Festival Grounds (411 S. Richard St.). This is where the street fair, food vendors and performances will occur.
All parking is free. There is parking at the Delcambre Shrimp Festival building (409 E. Main St.) and along Highway 14. There isn't one designated spot so we recommend arriving early to be close to the action. You can watch the boat parade from outside the Shrimp Festival Building. Walk out of the building after the blessing and directly across the street to the old boat dock on Richard Street.
5) What's a can't miss dish?
The great thing about the festival is we serve everything! So hot dogs, funnel cakes, and more for those less adventurous. But, the absolute best option is the boiled shrimp! It's our biggest seller each year for good reason. It's always cooked to perfection and crazy delicious!
All dishes are homemade by our members. Nothing is bought and there are no outside vendors at the festival who serve food.
6) Favorite part of the festival?
The music and the Blessing of the Fleet. The whole mass is really nice and then seeing the boats sail down the canal makes you reflect on how this has happened for more than 70 years. People have stood where I've stood and seen this event for 70 years. It's incredible and really moving. And, when the music starts, people just give in to the fun and culture of our area and sweat and dance their troubles away. Plus, the kids love the fair!
7) Why should you attend?
The Delcambre Shrimp Festival is one of the only festivals we know of in Louisiana that is completely member led and organized down to the smallest detail. Because of that, the people working the festival take pride in doing a great job and making sure attendees have a true South Louisiana good time every day of the event. The only outside vendor is the fair, but every dish is local.
There isn't one sole reason to attend the festival because the great music, delicious food and fun times made into memories will make you want to return every year after. So, wear your Delcambre reeboks, bring your appetite and we'll see you there!
For more information, visit the Delcambre Shrimp Festival's website and follow them on Facebook.
If you like this, read:
- 5 things you didn't know about the Delcambre Shrimp Industry
- Secrets from a Shrimp Queen
- Wendell Verret and Delcambre Direct Seafood
