What has become the social event of the year for Teche Area outdoorsmen, mostly saltwater anglers and avid conservationists, gets under way at 5:30 p.m. Thursday night, Aug. 15, inside the Cade Community Center.

Men, women and youngsters will fill the spacious hall for the Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana’s 18th annual Sugar Chapter Banquet, historically one of the top fundraising events for CCA-Louisiana in the Sportsman’s Paradise. It’s a great opportunity to mingle and talk about current topics and issues, including the oft-great fishing for speckled trout and redfish so many men, women and children are enjoying now in and around Vermilion Bay and this region of the Gulf of Mexico.

The main objective, of course, is to raise money for the nonprofit group with the stated purpose to advise and educate the public on conservation of marine resources. CCA-Louisiana’s goal is to conserve, promote and enhance current and future availability of coastal resources for our benefit and enjoyment.

Sugar Chapter president Sandy Derise and his banquet committee have been preparing for the event since March, he said recently with a tip of his cap to the hard-working, dedicated panel of local men and women.

They anticipate another successful fundraiser, he said, one that could exceed the $150,000-plus raised in August 2023 when more than 650 banquet-goers stepped inside the Cade Community Center.

“I think it’s going to be a strong year,” he said recently.

Derise, 50, a sales manager for Stabil Drill Specialties LLC, was banquet chairman in 2022 and 2023. This year’s banquet chairman is Tyson Rivet, a younger member who has been impressive in coordinating the annual event, according to Derise.

Bon Creole once again is catering the banquet, he said, noting fried fish, white beans, bread and dessert will be served.

Admission costs are $1,200 for a VIP Table of 8, $600 for a Table of 8 and $75 for a ticket per person, all of which include dinner, open bar and one-year membership into CCA.

Sponsors for the local banquet include The McIlhenny Co., Handyman Hardware, Arceneaux Ford, The Mosquito Authority, Mike’s Marina, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Gallagher, Relief Windows, Mallard Bay and Ford Southern Quality Dealers.

For more information about the upcoming event, call Derise at (337) 577-4114 or Rivet at (337) 516-5101. For table and ticket information, contact Gibbs Sherrell at (225) 952-9200 or gibbs@ccalouisiana.com.

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Another outdoors-related event is on tap for the Teche Area in September when the Acadiana Youth Hunter Education Club plays host to its 20-year anniversary with its annual Hunting and Fishing Banquet on Sept. 14 at the Bayou Bend Conference Center in Franklin.

An Acadiana YHEC flyer notes doors will open at 5 p.m. Tickets are $50 (single) and $80 (couple) with table packages available starting at $500. Tickets will be sold at the door.

Acadiana YHEC has represented this area well. We are very proud of the dedicated adult volunteer instructors who have guided so many local boys and girls (ages 10 to 18) to excel in state competition and at nationals each summer.

This is a great opportunity to show Acadiana YHEC adult leaders and members how much we admire and respect their hard work that leads to so many accomplishments while learning about personal ethics, self-control, firearms safety and marksmanship as well as survival techniques, wildlife ID and wildlife conservation. They are the future of the outdoors.

For more information about the banquet for the nonprofit organization’s fundraiser call Ashley Verret at (337) 578-4635 or Sandra Verret at (337) 256-2848. Sponsorships are available. 

DON SHOOPMAN is outdoors editor of The Daily Iberian.