The Gumbo Foundation is announcing The 19 th Annual Gumbo Cook-Off scheduled for Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the Yambilee Ag Arena in Opelousas, LA.
The beneficiary of The 19th Annual Gumbo Cook-Off is one-year-old Ezekiel Whipp.
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Ezekiel was diagnosed shortly after birth with the rare disorder Non-ketotic Hyperglycinemia (NKH), as well as Epilepsy and Spastic Quadriplegic (SQ) Cerebral Palsy not long after. He is the son of Kaylee and Logan Whipp of Opelousas, Louisiana, and has two sisters, Annalise and Aliza.
Although the highlight of the event is The Gumbo Cook-Off, also featured will be a Motorcycle & Jeep Run, Kids’ Activity Area, Silent and Live Auctions, Food, Drinks, lots of Music & Dancing, and more.
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Although this is a free event, the entry fee to participate in the Cook-Off is $50 and there are smaller fees for the bike/jeep run, kids' activities, and some of the other activities. For a donation, once samples are turned in for judging, spectators are invited to taste participants’ entries and vote for their favorite. Prizes will be awarded for First Place, Second Place, Third Place, and, returning this year, People’s Choice. A specially designed Gumbo Cook-Off Paddle will be presented to the 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 Ezekiel and his family all the love and support The Gumbo Foundation supporters and our community has to offer.
All proceeds benefit Ezekiel and his 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. Visit the Events section on gumbofoundation.org for more information, like rules, registration, and donations or click on the Sign-Up button on our Facebook page. Please Visit, Like, Follow, and Share the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TheGumboCookOff.
For more information, please contact Tim Marks at (337) 658-1108, Jason Huguet at (337) 331-2837, or Crystal Huguet at (337) 308-1173.
As always, Much love, many thanks, and God Bless!
Tim Marks
President & Founder
Cell: (337)658-1108
