A lucky crawfish was officially pardoned by Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser in Baton Rouge this morning. For the last six years on the first Tuesday after Mardi Gras, the state officially pardons one crustacean to celebrate the mudbug season. Nungesser says the pardoned crawfish will enjoy the rest of his days at Tickfaw State Park.
“He gets to live his life out in a state park, the life of luxury, and doesn’t even have to pay for the rental space there, so it’s a pretty good deal,” said Nungesser.
The Annual Pardoning of a Crawfish also puts Louisiana in the national spotlight and highlights the industry’s importance to the state. Nungesser fondly remembers attending a campaign event in which former Vice President Mike Pence bragged about the ability to pardon a turkey for Thanksgiving.
“We said look Mr. Vice President we pardon a crawfish in Louisiana, we take one lucky crawfish while the rest of his family gets boiled alive, and he said, ‘Son what the hell are you talking about.’ So, he didn’t quite get it compared to pardoning a turkey,” said Nungesser.
This year’s pardoned crawfish is named “Arrigeaux” in honor of retiring Visit Baton Rouge President Paul Arrigo. Nungesser says Arrigo and his team have done so much to help the tourism industry and he hopes Arrigo can enjoy his retirement and plenty of crawfish in the near future.
“But we couldn’t honor a better person, and a champion for tourism here in Louisiana and send the crawfish into retirement just like Paul’s going to go,” said Nungesser.
This year’s most fortunate crawfish was chosen by Barry Toups, the owner of Crawfish Haven and Mrs. Rose’s Bed and Breakfast in Kaplan.
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