Tarpon Rodeo Returns to Grand Isle

Tarpon Rodeo Returns to Island

BY FRANK J. BORNE, JR.

The International Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo, the oldest fishing competition in the United States, established in 1928, is set to return to Grand Isle July 28 to 30 to its home in the Pavilion in Tarpon Rodeo Park, located at the end of Louisiana Highway 1 in Grand Isle. It was cancelled last year, for only the fourth time in its history, due to the British Petroleum Gulf of Mexico oil spill that devastated coastal communities’ economies in 2010. Island Aid 2010, a music festival held instead of the competition and dedicated to raising awareness of the island’s plight, was a tremendous success and attended by thousands.

Jefferson Parish Council Chairman Chris Roberts credited the community’s resilience for the quick comeback in light of the oil spill adversity. “While Island Aid was a tremendous success, the return of the Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo is proof that the residents of Grand Isle and the State of Louisiana will always recover and bounce back,” he said. “We may face many struggles along the way, but we never give up!”

Grand Isle Mayor David Camardelle reminds everyone that Grand Isle is alive and ready for the influx of visitors. “The beaches are ready for visitors and the fishing is great,” he said.

Louisiana State Representative Nickie Monica serves as this year’s rodeo president, and Terrebonne Parish Sheriff L. Vernon Bourgeois, Jr., will reign as admiral of the fleet. The Pavilion will open from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and from 11:00 a.m. to Midnight on Saturday. Entertainment will be provided by Hurricane Levee Band on Thursday from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.; the Topcats on Friday from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.; and the Wiseguys on Saturday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. An awards presentation will follow on Saturday from 10:00 p.m. to Midnight.

The Pavilion will be packed full of local food vendors featuring such items as fried shrimp and fish, burgers, alligator sausage, funnel cakes, snowballs and much more. Many craft vendors will be on hand selling their specialty items and the Tarpon Rodeo Association will have a booth to accept registrations to fish in the rodeo as well as to sell exclusive Tarpon Rodeo merchandise.

The cost to register to fish in the rodeo is $30 per person, which includes a souvenir hat and a program and a chance to win the grand prize: a boat, motor, and trailer. Registration packages are also available for $100 per person and include two chances for the grand prize, two hats, a tee shirt, koozie, program, and an official Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo Poster.

This year’s poster is designed by West Bank artist Christy Works-Boutte, who co-owns Art by Christy with her husband, Brock. Works-Boutte received her formal art training from Ringling College of Art & Design in Sarasota, Florida, a world-renowned institution established in 1931. She has painted posters for numerous local events including the Gretna Heritage Festival, the International Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo, the Terrytown Spring Festival, the Jean Lafitte Seafood Festival, the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience and, most recently, the Crescent City Classic.

For more information, log on to www.tarponrodeo.org.