Gumbo Fest returns to Shell Factory on Feb. 5
Every year, the Shell Factory & Nature Park pays homage to not only one of the signature Cajun dishes, but also the Cajun lifestyle in general.
On Sunday, Feb. 5, the 21st annual Gumbo Fest will begin at 11 a.m. and wrap up around 5 p.m. in the center parking lot and, once again, it will feature that rich soup built around a base of a dark, rich roux, supplemented with celery, onion, peppers, spices and either meat or seafood.
The event, which has free admission, will benefit the Shell Factory’s Nature Park Foundation, which serves to keep the park in good working order and pays for buses so that grade school students can take field trips to the park.
Considering the damage Hurricane Ian caused, the park can use every penny it can get this year.
“This is our biggest event of the year and the biggest fundraiser for the Nature Park,” Shell Factory General Manager Anne Sheridan said. “People have been wonderfully generous. We have a couple sponsors, but we need a lot more and we’ve been grateful by how kind they’ve been, but we need more.”
The event that was dreamed up by Tom Cronin’s stepson in 2003 has become the Shell Factory’s signature event, with many different kinds of gumbo from vendors and the Southern Grill. Jambalaya, Jello-shots and more traditional foods like burgers and dogs are also featured.
If this isn’t enough, there also will be lots of accordion-driven Zydeco music featuring the traditional headliners, Dwayne Doopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers from New Orleans and the Porchdogs.
There will also several raffles throughout the day, with great prizes available in lieu of the $5,000 reverse raffle that have done in the past.
Attendees can purchase tickets to purchase items from the many food trucks that will be there.
Between seven and 10 trucks are expected at the event, with many of them selling gumbo and other Cajun favorites.
All the usual attractions, such as the nature park, the fun park and the store, will be open for business.
“We’re looking forward to another big event as usual. We’re going back to the old days with all the trucks, and it would be terrific if we could do it again,” said Sheridan said, added the Shell Factory is looking toward putting on newer events for 2023.
“Little by little, we’re looking to make this an entertainment destination for everyone.”
The Shell Factory is at 16554 N. Cleveland Ave. For more information, visit www.shellfactory.com.
To reach CHUCK BALLARO, please email news@breezenewspapers.com