2015 Shrimp and Petroleum Festival begins today

The 80th annual Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival officially begins today with a ribbon-cutting, carnival rides, and continued art show and sale.
“We’re very excited to celebrate our 80th year,” said Darby Isham, executive director of Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival.
“I knew it was going to be overwhelming and stressful but it hasn’t been horrible. It’s been fun.”
Festival king John Armato and queen Anna Washburn along with event officials will open the festival with a ribbon cutting at 5 p.m.
Mitchell Brothers Amusements are providing carnival rides and games. Pay one price ride bracelets can be purchased for $25 and used today from 5 to 9 p.m.
The Artists Guild Unlimited 52nd Annual Labor Day Show & Sale held at the Everett Street Gallery started Wednesday. The gallery opens today at 1 p.m.
For local artists, the Everett Street Gallery is the only art gallery of its kind in the area. The Shrimp and Petroleum Festival provides the broadest audience yearly to promote their work.
Artists come from Houma, Thibodaux, Prairieville, and other surrounding cities to showcase their talents.
The count of registered art entered in the art show was 447 with 129 registrants, which includes children, teens and adults.
Judi Betts, international award winning watercolor painter, judged the following art medium categories: acrylics, watercolors, pastels, mixed media and photography.
The AGU 2015 show’s first-place winners were Kathy Daigle, Muriel Prejean, Jean Ayo, Charlotte Opperman, Andrea Matte, Martha Robert, Adam Landry, Quenton Jones, Caylee Deshotel, Logan Karns, and Sal Balsamo.
“Fifty-two years in conjunction with the festival has worked out beautifully,” said Diane T. Martin, Artists Guild Unlimited president.
Thursday schedule
1-4 p.m. Artists Guild Unlimited Show & Sale (Everett St. Gallery)
5 p.m. Ribbon-cutting ceremony by festival royalty and officials.
5-9 p.m. POP rice bracelets $25
5-11 p.m. Carnival: Mitchell Brothers Amusements

This story was written by Shea Drake of The Daily Review staff. Reach her at sdrake@daily-review.com.