2025 Etouffee Festival Results
As word continues to spread about this year’s Étouffée Festival having made a good deal below goal ($24,115.34 at present count), there are a few things I would like you to know. First, please know of my gratitude for your service! Though the results may have missed their mark, your coming together in a spirit of community and service was no less a gift. Thank you!
Second, let us give thanks to God that we were all kept safe this year. While we were rained out on Friday evening, all were able to find cover reasonably quickly, and no damage was incurred to anyone’s equipment. Also, we are very grateful to our law enforcement presence who were quite effective at keeping the peace while preserving a very fun environment.
Third, I’d like to repeat a word of explanation, as best as I am able, as to why the results of our efforts have been so far down. Some factors were unique to this year: e.g. (1) being rained-out on Friday, or (2) the $2,500 extra that we paid in taxes because the State chose to deny us our exemption, or (3) our inability to schedule the festival on a weekend different from Festival International because of the late date of Easter. But other factors will continue to be an element of the festival:
I made the decision to close the festival at 10pm rather than 12am, both for the sake of you, our volunteers, and out of concern for safety. The rate of shooting incidences at festivals is going up, and even this year a young person was found carrying a gun on or near the festival grounds. Thankfully, our law enforcement officers were able to address the threat before any harm was done, but we cannot afford to think that Arnaudville is immune to such a devastating attack, and so the 10pm closure, at latest, will remain. I should also mention that I am actively reconsidering our sale of alcohol at the event, both to improve safety and to possibly promote the festival as a more family friendly event.
There was also some sticker shock at our raised prices. I can well appreciate why our patrons were put off by this, but this is also the natural result of inflation and the festival’s own rising prices that we are having to pay. The unfortunate reality is that to remain an effective fundraiser, the festival must pass some of the inflation burden on to our patrons, and while I hope we may be able to maintain our prices into next year, the economy may or may not permit us to do so.
And so fourth and finally, while this year is giving us pause and opportunity to more seriously consider the direction of the festival, I what you to know that I do not intend to make that evaluation without hearing from you, our volunteers. Below is a link to a survey whereby I can receive your feedback:
https://www.arnaudvillecatholic.org/etouffee-survey
Please take some time to prayerfully fill out this form so that together we can put the invaluable gift of your time and talent to the best service of our Church’s mission. Thank you for all you do!
If you have any questions or would like further clarity on any of these points, please submit your questions here: