The Ike Hamilton Expo Center was scheduled to host the Crawfish Classic this weekend.The historic flooding that has plagued southeastern Louisiana has resulted in the cancellation of the Crawfish Classic, scheduled for Aug. 19-21 in West Monroe, Louisiana.
West Monroe, located in northeast Louisiana, has not been directly affected by the flooding, but many cutters in the state have been dealing with flooding, road closures and other side effects of the torrential rains that began on Friday, Aug. 12.
In a Facebook post on Aug. 15, Marcy Blanchard, show secretary for the Crawfish Classic, stated: “On behalf of Acadian CHA, we truly appreciate EACH and EVERY call and text about the cancellation of the West Monroe show August 19th-21st. Out of respect for some of those that are flooded, can’t get to show because of road closures, can’t work their horses because of flooded arenas, or are currently still affected by the rain, we felt it was in the best interest of ALL cutters to cancel the show. While this tragedy has not affected ALL, it has affected SOME. In order to have a successful cutting, it takes ALL cutters.”
On Sunday, Aug. 14, President Obama declared parts of Louisiana as federal disaster areas. During a press conference the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 16, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said at least 40,000 homes have been damaged and eight people killed in the severe flooding. The worst hit parishes are in and around the Baton Rouge area, where estimates from the governor’s office cite as many as 30,000 people have been rescued and 8,000 remain in shelters.
Last year, the three-day Crawfish Cutting paid out more than $38,000. The Acadian Cutting Horse Association is scheduled to hold its next show Sept. 23-25 in Sulphur, Louisiana, approximately 140 miles west of Baton Rouge.
