Louisiana Seafood Race

Hornets fans will be in for a special treat at the Monday, 2 p.m. match-up against the Toronto Raptors, as the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board and the Office of Community Development- Disaster Recovery Unit debut the first ever interactive Louisiana Seafood Race.

“We are proud to partner with the Hornets to promote Louisiana’s seafood industry in this creative, family-friendly way,” said Assistant Secretary Randy Pausina.  “We encourage everyone to come out and watch the first ever Louisiana Seafood Race and don’t forget to stop by the Louisiana-only seafood concession stand located in the arena on the first concourse.”

What is sure to be a fan favorite, will vie “Louie” the shrimp, “Claude” the crab and “Acme” the oyster against one another to be crowned the winner of the Louisiana Seafood Race.  At a designated time during the remainder of the Hornets 2011 games, the race will ensue and the winning character will reward an entire group of fans with a free specialty item at Acme Oyster House.

“The entire Hornets family is proud to support the Louisiana seafood industry,” said Hornets Sr. Vice President of Corporate Partnerships Tom Ward.  “Through our partnership with the OCD, LDWF and LSPMB, we are able to communicate to the local community and the rest of the country that Louisiana seafood is back open for business. The interactive race at the arena is a fun and engaging way to send the message that local seafood is safe and fresh while providing our fans with world-class entertainment at the Hive.”

“OCD-DRU is proud to support the local fishermen and shrimpers as they continue to recover from hurricanes Gustav and Ike,” said Stacy Bonnaffons, OCD-DRU chief of staff. “The partnership with LWDF and the Hornets is a fun and creative way to boost the local seafood economy.”

In November LDWF, LSPMB and OCD-DRU announced their $300,000, three-year recovery grant partnership with the Hornets to help promote Louisiana’s seafood with a Louisiana-only seafood concession stand and other community education and outreach opportunities.  The Hornets also committed to working with the state to promote Louisiana seafood with their fans and in cities across the country.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana's abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.louisiana.gov on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ldwffb or follow us on Twitter @LDWF.

The Disaster Recovery Unit within the Office of Community Development is dedicated to helping Louisiana's citizens recover from hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike. As the state's central point for hurricane recovery, the OCD-DRU manages the most extensive rebuilding effort in American history, working closely with local, state and federal partners to ensure that Louisiana recovers safer and stronger than before.