A clammy atmosphere surrounded the sizzling sounds of char-boiled oysters, the smells of fried catfish and shrimp po’ boys and the mucky fingers and mouths devouring the crawfish.

More than 300 people gathered for the kick-off of the sixth annual Plaquemines Parish Seafood Festival in Belle Chasse, La., where locals hoped to remember tradition and take their minds off of the oil spill that has changed their future.

The festival, which continues through Sunday, features various activities, including carnival rides, a pageant and helicopter trips over the Mississippi River. Local restaurants will offer seafood and other specialty dishes; there will be appearances by local bands, as well as the New Orleans Honey Bees dance team. The event was created in 2004 to bring recognition to the seafood and fishing industry that has dominated so much of the culture in Plaquemines Parish, where, in Venice, the most southern part of the parish, some of the best seafood in the country can be found.

Despite the Gulf of Mexico oil spill that has challenged the seafood industry in Louisiana, coordinator Keith Hinkley never considered holding off on the tradition.

“If I would have said ‘Let’s not have this,’ I would have been turning my back on the heritage of this parish,” Hinkley said.

Many local restaurant owners came out to show the public that the seafood industry is still kicking.

In a black apron cooking charbroiled oysters over a scorching hot grill, Niko Tesvicha, a member of the local Croatian American Society, said he wanted people to come out and have a good time.

“Yeah, there’s an oil spill out there, but everybody we got oysters. We want people to come out and eat,” said Tesvicha, who is also a local salesman.

While his mind is off the oil spill for now, he knows the potential consequences that lie ahead.

“There are Croatian people who have been employed by fishing for over 40 years,” he said. “I’m lucky I went out and found another trade, but my dad is still out there on the boat.”

While the festival usually donates part of the $5 entry fee to the Children’s Hospital or American Cancer Society, this year it has partnered with Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans to assist fisherman in Plaquemines Parish.

Hinkley said the funds will be used for business, as well as personal needs.

“If they have to pay an electric bill, a heat or a car note, we are the ones that will have to help them build their lives,” he said.

Those not personally affected by the oil spill were still impacted in some way. like New Orleans resident Beckie Sarbeck, 31, who brought her fiancé, Jason Buff, 31, and his family out to the festival.

Sarback, a first-timer of the festival, grew up in Plaquemines Parish, where seafood played a big role in her everyday meals. She even plans to have an oyster bar at her wedding reception.

“It’s a big part of our wedding,” she said. “The only thing we are really concerned about is the food.”

While Sarback remains hopeful, she thinks that people have not yet grasped the long-term effects of the oil spill.

“This really could be a bigger deal than Katrina because it’s affecting a way of life,” she said.

Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.