LOREAUVILLE — Organizers for the third annual Mayor Al Memorial 5K, 1 mile Croc Walk and Loreauville Family Fun Day are gearing up for another fun-filled day this year, with all proceeds going to a local cause. 

The event sprang out of the tragic death of former Loreauville Mayor Al Broussard, who was killed in a car accident in 2015. The beloved mayor is remembered by the event every year, with funds generated from the event going to causes he was passionate about. 

However, the event has also become known in Loreauville as a community-minded day to which Loreauville residents can bring the whole family. Organizer Ashlie Boutte said there will be music at the event this year, and event-goers can expect to wear the famous yellow croc shoes for which Broussard was famous. 

The event starts at 8:30 a.m. March 30. Loreauville Family Fun Day, which will consist of chili, drinks, fun jumps, music, magician, silent auction and lots more fun, will be held immediately following the race. 

To register for the 5K, purchase T-shirts or volunteer, go to www.yellowcrocsforpopsie.com or contact Ashlie Boutte at 257-3289.

How did the 5K and Family Fun Day begin?

My father was the mayor of Loreauville who got killed in a car accident in 2015. We knew we wanted to do something in his memory. It took us a little while, we didn’t have the first one until 2017. But we finally decided on a 5K event and a family fun day for everyone in the village. 

How successful was the first event in 2017?

It was amazing, the first year everybody came up and we raised up to $23,000 and went to The New Acadia Project, which dad was very passionate about. This year it’s going to go half to The New Acadia Project and half the Acadian Odyssey Monument, which will be placed at the Al Broussard Memorial Park. 

Those are publicly funded organizations and dad did a lot of funding and trying for state grants. Now that he’s not here, we’re kind of trying to help them continue. 

Is there anything new happening for this year’s event?

We’re going to have live music this year with Two in the Chamber and Minos Derouen performing. Its all free, we’ll have fun jumps, a magician and face painting. 

What about the yellow crocs?

We’ll have the yellow crocs too. That was Al’s signature shoe, it’s what he was known for, and we have them every year at the event.