Each and every year, the Battle for the Paddle brings hundreds of people together to raise money for a good cause as teams prepare delicious dishes of pastalaya, jambalaya and gumbo.
Of course – it’s also competition.
More than 200 teams are registered to compete for the titles of Best Jambalaya, Best Pastalaya and Best Gumbo at the Oct. 3 event, which is put on annually by the United Way of St. Charles and will take place at the Edward A. Dufresne Community Center from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
“I think people like the competition and the bragging rights that come with it for a year,” said Tamara Plattsmier of the United Way of St. Charles. “I think people are drawn to the friendly competition and the sense of community, but what really makes it successful is the impact it has. Every dollar raised helps fund important causes.”
Those causes include providing meals for children in need, providing support for victims of domestic violence, and building wheelchair ramps for the elderly. More than 30 local United Way-funded, nonprofit agencies who do good for the community benefit from the annual fundraiser.
“We’re not just cooking — we’re making our community better,” said Plattsmier.
Admission is $10, but free for children ages 10 and under. Event admission allows visitors to eat as many servings as they care to sample of jambalaya, gumbo or pastalaya dishes, from as many of the various competing teams as they would like to try.
Organizers of the event expect about 4,000 to 4,500 attendees, including team members, volunteers and the public.
Live music by Ryan Foret and Foret Tradition will begin at 5:30 p.m.
There will be at least 24 judges – that number might increase before event day, due to the number of teams registered.
First place teams in each category will take home the prize paddle for one year and will receive free entry into next year’s event. First, second and third place teams for each category in the Judge’s Division and People’s Choice Division will also win a prize paddle.
For more details on the event, including updated traffic, shuttle and parking info, visit the United Way of St. Charles’s website at www.uwaysc.org.
