This year marks the 28th annual Kiwanis Pepper Festival, and the event is moving to a new location. The festival will be held Saturday, Oct. 26, in Magnolia Park under the shady oaks along the Bayou Teche.
Gates open at 8 a.m., and the festival will feature for the first time a Jambalaya/Pastalaya Cookoff. Participants can register by going to [email protected] or on the day of the event.
Music begins and vendors open at 10 a.m. There will be a kids fun jump and petting zoo. The boat launch and disc golf areas will be closed during the festival.
Proceeds from the Pepper Festival help support the community and children. The club gives back to the community through the following events:
•Every child a swimmer program was the brainchild of Kiwanian Edna Landry more than 17 years ago. Thousands of ELC students have learned how to swim because of this program. The Kiwanis Club members recognized Landry on Oct. 9 by making a donation to St. Teresa’s Works of Mercy Center.
•The bike program, chaired by George Choplin Jr., rewards junior high students who have met the criteria with a brand new bike.
•Foster kids Christmas party where children and their parents are treated to gifts and breakfast with Santa.
•During the spring months, Kiwanis members visit area schools and read books to second graders. Afterwards books are distributed to each student.
Schedule of events:
Saturday, Oct. 26
•8 a.m. - Jambalaya/Pastalaya Cookoff begins.
•10 a.m. - Festival Grounds open with vendors, concessions, fun jump and petting zoo. Music by Grounded.
•12 noon - Lloyd Stretch.
•1:45 p.m. - Announcement of the cookoff winners.
•2-3:30 p.m. - Darel Gros & High Rollin Band.
•4-5:30 p.m. - Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Band.
•5:30 - 7 p.m. - Pepper Eating Contest.
•7-8:30 p.m. - Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band.
•9-11 p.m. - Jaryd Lane.
