Sheriff Champagne to serve as president of Tarpon Rodeo

Sheriff Greg Champagne will serve as the 2006 President of the Grand Isle International Tarpon Rodeo.

The Tarpon Rodeo, which is the oldest fishing tournament in the United States, will be held on Thursday, July 27  - Saturday July 29.  As President, Sheriff Champagne will preside over the activities and awards ceremony for the 85th Annual Tarpon Rodeo Event. New Orleans Weatherman Bob Breck will assist Champagne as his "Admiral of the Fleet".

On Thursday, July 27 at 7 p.m., Sheriff Champagne will cut the ribbon with officials from Grand Isle and Jefferson Parish officially dedicating the recently completed Tarpon Rodeo Pavilion, which will be the permanent headquarters of the Tarpon Rodeo. The new pavilion will be air-conditioned and be available for use by the town of Grand Isle throughout the year for public events. Immediately following the ribbon cutting will be the president's reception and shrimp boil that is open to the public. Entertainment will be provided by "Dynamic Sounds".

On Friday, July 28 and Saturday, July 29 the pavilion will open to the public at 11:00 a.m.,  with food, merchandise, and educational booths on display.  Children's crab races will take place on both days also at 2 p.m.  ‘The Top Cats’ will be playing on Friday night and Saturday night starting at 8 p.m.  The awards ceremony will take place on Saturday, July 29 at 8 p.m.

This year, local artist Tim Schafer, who is a senior at Destrehan High School, designed the 2006 Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo poster, which depicts the new Tarpon Pavilion. Schafer was commissioned by Sheriff Champagne to create this year's design.

"I urge everyone to come out to this year's Grand Isle International Tarpon Rodeo. There will be plenty of food, fun and entertainment this year for everyone to enjoy.  It is also a landmark year for the rodeo with the ribbon cutting of the new air-conditioned Tarpon Rodeo Pavilion. The Tarpon Rodeo has evolved over the years into a more family oriented event," said Sheriff Champagne. Thousands of people will flock to the seven-mile island for three days of fun fishing and relaxation.