Annual Andouille Festival Brings Community Together

St. John the Baptist Parish - The 44th Annual Andouille Festival welcomed more than 20,000 guests over the three-day weekend. This year's events included The Dang Douille Eating Contest, The Andouille Gumbo Cook-Off, The Annual Andouille Run, The Gospel Tent and the first-ever RTC/Home Furnishing Football Fan Zone.

The festival kicked off on Friday evening with $1 Night, a fundraiser to benefit hurricane relief. Adult entry, rides and select concessions were $1 with the donation of a non-perishable food item. The weekend featured live music, good times and great food highlighting the festival namesake, Andouille, in dishes as well as local cuisine and festival favorites.

On Saturday, festival goers attended the Andouille Gumbo Cook-Off and the Dang Douille Eating Competition. For the second year in a row, Larry Zeno, an independent entrant, won first place in the Andouille Gumbo Cook-Off. The Dang Douille Eating Competition winner, Chad Duhe, unseated the winner of three straight years, Chris Cancienne, who won second place this year. Jason Montegut placed third.

The 39th Annual Andouille Run kicked off Sunday, the closing day of the festival. Dr. Michael Acuri and Jennifer Palerno placed first for men and women in the 5 mile Andouille run. Following the run, festival goers enjoyed music on the main stage as well as the Gospel Tent. The Children's Tent featured music, performances, and arts & crafts for young festival goers throughout the weekend.