2020 Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival On-Hold Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

The Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival has announced that this year’s festivities have been put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Festival President Bobby Dufrene said the board of directors has been conducting meetings concerning the potential effects of COVID-19 on this year’s festival. He said festival planning includes coordinating numerous vendors and bands, meeting and relying on community sponsors and businesses, and hosting events for large crowds made up of both locals and guests visiting from neighboring cities and states.
After much deliberation of the benefits and risks of having this year’s celebration, the festival board has decided to put this year’s events “on hold” until further notice. Due to health concerns and the current economic status, they have decided that asking sponsors to participate in this year’s festival could be detrimental to future festivals, as many people and businesses in the community have been presented with financial hardships resulting from the virus. Dufrene said they must also keep in mind the health of the community and those who would be traveling to take part in the celebrations.  He went on to thank the members and sponsors for their years of dedicated support to the festival and community.
The board also thanked everyone for their understanding and patience during these unprecedented times. As social restrictions are lifted in the future, Dufrene said they will keep the public updated on any upcoming plans discussed by the board.