Annual ‘Pardoning of the Crawfish’ Celebrates Crustacean Season

Louisiana Lt Governor Billy Nungesser gave an official pardon to Lafitte the Crawfish this week, as a celebration of our state's favorite crustacean. The fifth annual event was held in conjunction with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board at The Chef John Folse Culinary Institute on the campus of Nicholls State University in Thibodaux. The event is traditionally held on the first Tuesday after Mardi Gras, and is meant to showcase the abundant crawfish season in Louisiana and across the Gulf Coast.

And this year, as per tradition, the honorary crawfish (named Lafitte after Chef John Folse's first restaurant, Lafitte’s Landing in Donaldsonville) was plucked from the ponds of Crawfish Haven in Kaplan, Louisiana, which is owned by Barry Toups. Mr Toups then transferred the lucky crawfish to Thibodaux, where he was honored with his own parade and given an official declaration from the state in a ceremony attended by several dignitaries, which included Chef John Folse and the 2019 King of Louisiana Seafood Chef Nathan Richard.

According to a press release issued by the Lt. Governor's office "Following his pardoning, the Louisiana Office of State Parks transported Lafitte to Bayou Segnette State Park in Westwego, Louisiana, where he will live out the rest of his days burrowing in the mud, swimming in the bayou, and making the state park his new home."

This light-hearted event highlights one of the most significant seasons in our state each year - crawfish season! Enjoy your mudbugs, cher.