Approximately 280 teams are set to compete over who can make the most delicious dish of jambalaya, pastalaya and gumbo – and for $10, visitors can enjoy all they can eat of it.
United Way of St. Charles starts October with the 24th annual Battle for the Paddle cookoff with the most teams ever expected to participate, besting last year’s approximate mark of 250 teams. The event is set for Oct 1 and begins at 3 p.m. at the Edward A. Dufresne Community Center in Luling.
Admission is $10. Children age 10 and under are admitted free of charge.
Public parking will be available beginning at 3:00 p.m. at West Bank Bridge Park, the School Board Office, Satellite Center and R.K. Smith. Buses will shuttle guests from West Bank Bridge Park directly to the entrance of the Community Center.
The cookoff serves as the traditional kickoff to United Way of St. Charles’ annual fundraising campaign.
NOLA Rock Show will perform live music from 5:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. The Battle for the Paddle winners will be announced at 7:15 p.m.
There will be snowballs from Sweet Joy, sweets from The Table Cafe, a photo booth, a 50/50 raffle, and beer and soft drinks available for purchase.
The teams will compete for first, second and third place in gumbo, jambalaya and pastalaya.
Event organizer Tamara Plattsmier said the event serves as a thank you to the community for supporting United Way and its causes – and that ultimately, it’s about that community joining together to help others.
“Underneath all of the food, music and fun is a much bigger purpose,” Plattsmier said. “At the end of the day, we’re raising money that helps our neighbors, our friends and people in our community when they need it most. The impact that one fun day can ultimately have on someone’s life is beyond what words can describe.”
