By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LULING – As members of the River Region Chamber of Commerce shoveled out pounds of crawfish, corn, potatoes and other items to an ever-growing line of business leaders, parish officials and others, residents of the three River Parishes gathered to mingle and network during the Chamber’s annual crawfish boil and raffle Thursday evening at the St. Charles Parish West Bank Bridge Park in Luling.

Thursday’s boil was the second year of the revamped format for the event, which featured a new location, St. Charles Parish instead of St. James, and cheaper ticket prices for attendees, $40 as opposed to $100.

The event is one of three annual fundraisers conducted by the Chamber.

Chamber Executive Director Chassity McComack said much like last year, the boil attracted more than 500 ticket purchases from residents and area business. Each member of the Chamber was given four tickets to sell, and additional tickets were made available at the Chamber office.

“Thirty percent of the annual budget for the Chamber comes from our fundraising efforts, so it is definitely nice to see so many attendees again this year,” McComack said.

McComack said sponsors for the event, which help with some of the expenses, included Dow, Valero, Marathon, Nalco, Mosaic, First American Bank and others.

“The parish governments also chip in along with the sheriffs’ offices and school systems,” she said. “A lot happens at this event every year.”

Anedra Coleman of St. Charles Parish won the $2,000 grand prize in this year’s raffle.