For Immediate Release
Contact:
Brittany Racca
(337) 365-1540
(888) 942-3742
Say arrrg for gumbo!

NEW IBERIA, La. ---  The Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce is happy to announce that the 29th annual World Championship Gumbo Cookoff will be returning to New Iberia this October.

The planners expect a record breaking weekend, with over 90 participants and over 100 different gumbos to try. Hosted on New Iberia’s award-winning Main Street, the weekend of October 13-14 will be packed with events such as the Youth Gumbo Cookoff, the Meanest Beans Competition, the Roux Run, The Gumbo Cookoff itself, a booth decorating contest, live music, children’s activities, and so much more! Special guests Jaryd Lane and Miles Flatt will also be performing.

Come join over 20,000 attendees and celebrate this year’s theme, “Hidden Treasure”. Chamber representatives hope to see Bouligny Plaza full of peg legs, eye patches, and gumbo loving pirates. Beverages and beer will be available for purchase, so 1please leave your ice chests at home. Admission is free, and so is the fun. The planners ask that you please do not bring your pets, but do bring the kids! The event is open to all ages and all people.

“We’re looking forward to a pirate-themed year,” said Janet Faulk-Gonzales, chamber president/CEO. “We have new teams competing, several are from out of town. This is an important event for the community and for tourism in the region.”

The Gumbo Cookoff has been helping bring business and stimulate New Iberia’s economy for decades. The economic impact of the event is conservatively estimated around $2 million. While admission is free, tickets to purchase food and drinks will be available all weekend.

If you are interested in entering the Gumbo Cookoff next year, contact the Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce at 337-364-1836. Follow the Chamber of Commerce on Facebook and Twitter to get updates on the event before and during, or visit the website iberiachamber.org to get information and view other events the Chamber is hosting.

See you there!
###
The Iberia Parish Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official parish marketing agency promoting New Iberia, Avery Island, Jefferson Island, Jeanerette, Loreauville and Delcambre as a destination. Marketing programs target leisure travelers, business travelers, media, entertainment industry, and the travel trade including group tour planners, meeting planners, sports planners and special event planners. The bureau operates a parish welcome center in New Iberia.
 
For more information on parish events and tourism assets, call the bureau at 337-365-1540 or visit  IberiaTravel.com