United Way of Southwest Louisiana’s St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser, Battle for the Paddle, will spice up the Lake Charles Civic Center Amphitheatre on Thursday, March 16. Community members, businesses and organizations with cooking teams are invited to participate in the cookoff and to also come for the tasting of the entries.
Teams can choose from two cook-off divisions, jambalaya or pastalaya. Cooking can begin as early as 9 am with judging from 3:45 pm to 4:15 pm.
Awards will be given for
- Best Jambalaya: 1st Place, 2nd Place, 3rd Place and People’s Choice
- Best Pastalaya: 1st Place, 2nd Place, 3rd Place and People’s Choice
- Most Festive Team Décor
- Most Festive Costume
To enter one division is a fee of $500 and entering two divisions is $750. To enter a team or learn more, visit unitedwayswla.org/battle.
Current teams include Entergy Louisiana’s High Voltage, Automotive Alignment and Brake Service, Turner Industries, Entergy Nelson Station, Total Energy Solutions, Visit Lake Charles, Smoke and Barrel and Rain Carbon Inc.
To learn about sponsorship opportunities for the event, contact United Way of Southwest Louisiana or learn more online at unitedwayswla.org/battle.
The community is invited to the cook-off 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 the guest unlimited jambalaya and pastalaya. Drinks will be sold separately at the event. Tickets on sale now at unitedwayswla.org/battle or by texting SHAMROCK to 40403.
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 allows access to unlimited jambalaya and pastalaya. Tickets on sale now at unitedwayswla.org/battle or by texting SHAMROCK to 40403.
A free performance by LA ROXX will begin at 5 pm and is open to the public. No ticket is required for the free kids zone or the concert.
Volunteers are needed to assist with multiple aspects of the event. To volunteer, visit online at this link or text keyword STPADDY to 40403.
Proceeds benefit the many initiatives provided by United Way of Southwest Louisiana focused on providing long-term positive changes for the most challenging issues facing our community.
Battle for the Paddle 2023
Info: unitedwayswla.org/battle
Contact: liveunited@unitedwayswla.org or 337.433.1088
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About United Way of Southwest Louisiana
Working with the community and many partners for 83 years, United Way of Southwest Louisiana tackles the critical human services issues facing our five-parish footprint of Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jeff Davis. Our United approach is changing the odds for all children, families and individuals in the community, so that we all have the opportunity to succeed. Learn more about our life-changing work at Unitedwayswla.org and follow us on social media @UnitedWayofSWLA
- Operating in the TOP 9% of all U.S. United Ways. –TOP 125 out of 1300 United Ways!
- Maintains a 4-STAR charity rating with Charity Navigator and a PLATINUM SEAL OF TRANSPARENCY with Candid (formerly GuideStar)
- Mackenzie Scott Recipient (1st year, member of the original #UNITEDWAY46)
- LEPA Award Winner 2022 from Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness for Outstanding Service
- Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration