JEAN LAFITTE, La. — Music, entertainment and seafood as far as the eye could see. The Jean Lafitte Seafood Festival made a huge comeback after a 15 year hiatus.
“It’s an amazing feeling. The whole community, everybody you see working here is volunteers. We’re here to show off our beautiful paradise of a town,” said Jean Lafitte Mayor Tim Kerner.
Hundreds of attendees poured into the festival, keeping the food vendors busy all day long as they cooked up their specialty dishes.
“We’re out here, we’re frying up softshell crab platters, crab ball platters and boudin,” said Kelly Knight with Big Al’s Seafood.
“We have crawfish pistolette, seafood pasta and our favorite number one seller, catfish sundae,” said Tamara Hoskins with Serving From The Heart Catering.
The options were endless for seafood lovers, some trying a little bit of everything!
“I had crabs, shrimp, crawfish, and char broiled oysters,” said attendee Cindy Lum.
And of course, what’s a meal without live music? Visitors had the chance to hang out and enjoy their favorite local artists, while kids took advantage of all the rides and games.
The festival marked a turning point in the pandemic for the community and local businesses.
“It’s going to lift up the spirits, it’s going to help our local restaurants, which took such a big hit last year because of covid,” said Mayor Kerner.
Mayor Kerner says the town’s local seafood is sure to leave a mark on the minds, and the taste buds, of those who visit.
“The best thing about this is, when people come try this seafood, they’re going to know where they got it from, and they’re going to know where to get it again,” said Mayor Kerner.