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For Immediate Release 

January 3, 2021 

The 16th Annual Gumbo Cook-Off to Benefit for Zaidee Thibodeaux 

Scheduled for Saturday, January 29, 2022 in Downtown Opelousas, LA 

The 16th Annual Gumbo Cook-Off heats up Saturday, January 29, 2022 for a good cause. The event is held each year in downtown Opelousas on the Corner of Landry and Oak Streets (521 East Landry Street), near Frank’s Poboys and Doran & Cawthorne Law Firm. The beneficiary of The 16th Annual Gumbo Cook-Off is three-year-old Zaidee Thibodeaux. Zaidee was diagnosed with Infantile Neuroaxonal Dystrophy, a rare illness affects the nervous system. Sweet Zaidee is the daughter of Brittany Hendrickson of Port Barre and Josh Thibodeaux of Carencro.     

Although the highlight of the event is The Gumbo Cook-Off, also featured will be a Motorcycle & Jeep Run, Kid’s Activity Area, Silent and Live Auctions, Food, Drinks, and lots of Music & Dancing. Although this is a free event, the entry fee to participate in the Cook-Off is $50 and small fees for the bike/jeep run and some of the activities. For a donation, spectators are invited to taste participants’ entries, once samples are turned in for judging. Prizes are awarded for First Place, Second Place, and Third Place, in two categories, Chicken & Sausage Gumbo and Seafood Gumbo.  A specially designed Gumbo Cook-Off Paddle will be presented to the new Gumbo Cook-Off Grand Champion with the best overall gumbo. Grounds open at 8AM, Kick Off Ceremony is at 10AM, and Auction begins at 1:30PM, immediately followed by the Winners Ceremony. Music will continue throughout the day, until 6PM.  

Please join us in showing Zaidee and her family all the love and support The Gumbo Foundation supporters and our community has to offer. 

All proceeds benefit Zaidee and her family to assist with medical and related expenses. Checks can be made payable to The Gumbo Foundation, P.O. Box 1478, Opelousas, LA 70571. The Gumbo Foundation is an exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (EIN 81-4140828) and your donation is tax deductible. Rules, registration, and donations are available on The Gumbo Foundation or the Sign Up button on our The Gumbo Foundation Facebook page . Please Visit, Like, and Share the The Gumbo Foundation Facebook page.

As always, much love, many thanks, and God Bless! 

Tim Marks

(337) 658-1108

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