They used to call it Tiger Island, but these days it's Morgan City, a quintessential Cajun town surrounded by a variety of Louisiana waters — rivers, swamps and a large lake. The tiger lore dates back to the early 1800s when surveyors named the area for a particular kind of large wild cat found there.
The city is nestled in the crook of the Atchafalaya, small but mighty, and is host to this weekend's oddly named Shrimp and Petroleum Festival.
The festival's unusual name has evolved since 1937, when Morgan City became known as the "jumbo" shrimp capitol of the world, thus creating the Louisiana Shrimp Festival. A decade later, the city made national headlines when Kerr-McGee Industries drilled the first successful offshore oil well out of sight of land — and "petroleum" was added to the Louisiana Shrimp Festival.
In local parlance, many say Morgan City is located “right in the middle of everywhere,” about an hour and a half away from Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Lafayette. From fishing and hunting to shrimp and petroleum, Morgan City has all the Cajun culture one could ask for.
“Most people just drive by and don’t see the true beauty of the area,” Carrie Stansbury, the executive director of the Cajun Coast Visitors and Convention Bureau, said.
With a population of around 11,000, Morgan City hosts the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival every Labor Day weekend, from Thursday to Monday. It's the oldest chartered harvest festival in the state.
“It is hard to believe that here in little old Morgan City, such a monumental event began,” said Hailee Thomas, the festival’s executive director. “Although it has taken on many different changes throughout its rich history, year after year it serves as a testament to this community.”
This year, residents and visitors will celebrate the 87th Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival with activities like music in Lawrence Park, fireworks on the river and carnival rides.
This year, residents and visitors will celebrate the 87th Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival with activities like music in Lawrence Park, fireworks on the river and carnival rides. One event, the blessing of the fleet, has remained throughout the festival’s 87-year history. Thomas says this tradition is a time to pray for a safe and successful shrimp and oil season. It includes a water parade and a Champagne toast between the king and queen’s vessels.
2019 Shrimp and Petroleum Queen Leah Domangue and King Bill Cefalu toast on the Atchafalaya River for the Blessing of the Fleet.
When the city’s streets aren’t filled with carnival rides and arts and crafts vendors, visitors can enjoy a swamp tour with Captain Caviar, a bite to eat at Rita Mae’s Kitchen, a visit to Brownell Memorial Park & Carillon Tower or a walk along the flood wall (better known as the sea wall) on Front Street.
Morgan City hosts the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival every Labor Day weekend. The carnival rides are located adjacent to the sea wall, which is along the downtown area.
Elisabeth Chiasson, the current St. Mary Parish Chamber of Commerce president, said the Brownell Memorial Park & Carillon Tower in particular has a surprising fan favorite for visitors: moss. Though locals may not see the beauty in it, Chiasson says visitors from other places often fall in love with the feathery, beard-like moss.
"We had a lady stuff it in her purse,” she said.
The city’s downtown area, where the sea wall is located, is a certified main street community, which is a part of a national network of main street communities. Among brightly colored buildings and cobblestone pathways, visitors will find local favorites such as Wildflower Boutique, Cafe Jojo’s, Southern Roots Salon and Spa, Everett Street Gallery and Shannon Hardware.
The city also has an array of activities to do on the water, including paddling, fishing, kayaking and boating — all accessible through the Victor Guarisco Lake End Park Campground and Marina.
The "Mr. Charlie" Rig was the first transportable, submersible drilling rig. It is now open for visitors to visit and tour. Pictured is the owner of the museum, Virgil Allen.
Morgan City is also home to the “Mr. Charlie” Rig Museum, the first transportable, submersible drilling rig. According to Chiasson, “Mr. Charlie” was the first rig to drill in, what was considered at the time, deep water. Its success was the catalyst to Morgan City’s title as the birthplace of offshore drilling.
Aside from its Cajun food and Southern charm, the people are what make Morgan City special. Strangers become friends over a bowl of gumbo or a slice of king cake.
“My favorite thing has become the people,” Chiasson said, “Just the community we have.”
For more information on the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival and Morgan City, visit www.cajuncoast.com. Festival weekend kicks off Thursday, Sept. 1 and ends Monday, Sept. 5 with the last band performance from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event includes an arts and crafts fair, a 5K run, the Blessing of the Fleet, a parade, fireworks on the river, a carnival, car show, children's parade and lots of music.