Battle for the Paddle Returns for Its Third Year in Lake Charles, LA

United Way of Southwest Louisiana’s Battle for the Paddle will feature live music, costume contests and free kids zone

United Way of Southwest Louisiana's 3rd Annual Battle for the Paddle cookoff event will occur on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at the Lake Charles Civic Center Amphitheatre. The event will feature a cookoff competition between more than 20 teams who will prepare jambalaya and pastalaya for public taste testing.

In addition to the delicious food, attendees can enjoy a free concert by LA Roxx while sipping cold drinks and beer (which will be sold on-site). Families can also enjoy the event for free, with activities like the kids zone provided by United Way of Southwest Louisiana.

The community is invited to the cookoff at the Lake Charles Civic Center Amphitheatre beginning at 5 pm for the entry fee of $15 for a sampler ticket, $10 for a student ticket and $10 for first responders or veterans. All sampler tickets enable theguest unlimited jambalaya and pastalaya. Drinks will be sold separately at the event.

For those aged 21 and over, a limited number of VIP tickets will be sold for $50, allowing access to a stadium lounge area with seating, beer, wine, and other amenities. Each VIP ticket provides unlimited jambalaya and pastalaya—tickets are on sale now at unitedwayswla.org/battle or by texting SHAMROCK to 40403.

This year's Battle for the Paddle cookoff will feature several teams, including Entergy Louisiana's Nelson Station, POUR Water, WR GRACE, Lotte Serves, Phillips 66, Total Energy Solutions, Investar Bank, Entergy Louisiana's High Voltage, and ALCOA. To participate in the Battle for the Paddle, competitors can visit unitedwayswla.org/battle or text BATTLE to 40403. 

Sponsors for the event include Investar Bank, Digikast, AdSource, and Cajun Bug Exterminating. To learn about sponsorship opportunities for the event, contact United Way of Southwest Louisiana or learn more online at unitedwayswla.org/battleor by texting BATTLESPONSOR to 41444.

In addition, United Way of Southwest Louisiana is seeking volunteers to help with the event. Those interested can visit the website or text the keyword STPADDY to 40403 to sign up. 

At the end of the event, awards will be presented for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and People's Choice for both Jambalaya and Pastalaya, as well as Best Tent Décor. Guests can also win the Best Costume Award, so come dressed in your best St. Paddy's Day outfit!

Proceeds from the event will benefit various Initiatives that United Way of Southwest Louisiana provides to help address the community's challenging issues.

For more information about the 2024 Battle for the Paddle event, visit unitedwayswla.org/battle or contact the organizers at liveunited@unitedwayswla.org or 337.433.1088.