2:59:48 AM  2/9/2010
 Home Page
 09 Best Of
 Homegrown
  Businesses
 Top 50
 Links
 Archives
 Contact Info.
 Advertising Info.

ARCHIVES

 COVER STORY - ARCHIVED STORY  BACK TO ARCHIVES
Contraband 05 Date Posted: 4/21/2005
Author: The Times of SWLA Page Viewed: 2211 Times

Contraband Days 2005
 Forty-eight years later, the party continues
By Lauren de Albuquerque

Louisiana is all about festivals. All of you who were born and raised here know that, but coming from the north, my husband and I were astounded to discover just how many celebrations there are down here. Of course everyone's heard of Mardi Gras back in Boston, and I'd been to Jazz Fest in New Orleans. But when you actually live in Louisiana it is amazing to see what people celebrate. Someone told me that Cajuns look for any excuse to party. "If it's your grandmother's birthday we'll celebrate that. And if she dies we'll celebrate that too!" We've been in Southwest Louisiana a little over a year and we are still amazed at the sheer amount of partying that goes on_sometimes for days at a time.
The Contraband Days Festival in Lake Charles is one such extended festival. It is a close second to Mardi Gras in scale and was voted Festival of the Year in Division III Category (attendance of 50,000+) by the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals at their 2005 convention. In its 48th year, it is the oldest festival in Lake Charles.

The Beginning
In an effort to develop tourism, a group of local businessmen joined together in 1957 to form what was then known as Lake Charles Contraband Days, Inc. The festival takes its name from the famous pirate Jean Lafitte, who, according to local legend, buried his treasure somewhere along Contraband Bayou here in Lake Charles. (No one's ever found it, so don't bother looking!)

I suppose you could call the first festival Contraband DAY_because that's exactly how long it lasted. It was a one-day event that included a boat race, a parade, and a water ski show. In 1965, the Buccaneers of Lake Charles was formed. This organization (which is a separate entity from Contraband Days, Inc.) enhanced and promoted the festival by having its members dress like pirates. Every year, one member is chosen to be "Jean Lafitte" and lead a raid (called "The Landing") on the city. A full-blown festival has evolved from these humble beginnings that now lasts for 12 days. And a fun 12 days it is. The event list for 2005 includes concerts, a motorcycle rally, a tennis tournament, fireworks, parades, carnivals, magic shows_even an arm wrestling tournament, to name but a few. This doesn't even include all the Buccaneer-related goings-on. And it's the Buccaneers who truly embody the spirit of Contraband Days and bring it to life.


The Buccaneers
Sherman Corbello is a double threat. He's been a member of the Buccaneers since 1999 and has rapidly moved up in the ranks. Not only was he Jean Lafitte of 2004 (as of this interview, he still held the position since Jean Lafitte 2005 hadn't been revealed yet), he was also the president of the Buccaneers at the same time_the only member in the history of the organization to hold both titles.

A Lake Charles native, Corbello has many happy childhood memories of Contraband Days. When he married and began raising his family, he made sure he brought his wife Brenda and their children every year. So when he had the chance to join the Buccaneers (you must be sponsored and voted in) he went for it.

"When I'm involved in something I go all out," Corbello said at a recent Calcasieu Boat Club meeting (where he's also a member). "But I have to tell you that this is the best organization for the money in Lake Charles. There's always something going on."

Corbello loves being a Buccaneer. "There are all kinds of people in our group. You can sit down with someone and have a drink with them and no one cares what you do for a living. I don't even know what half the members do. We have judges, teachers, you name it, but what matters is they're all nice people."

Being a Buccaneer isn't a once-a-year deal. "We're tied in with the tourist bureau, so they call on us year round to show up at parties, conventions, etc.," he says. And this participation doesn't come cheaply. "Whenever we're asked to go to any event, we pay for it. People don't realize how much we support Contraband Days and how much each of us spends." He estimates costs for each member running roughly $700 per year_for costumes, beads, parade throws, etc. That's in addition to the $250 yearly dues.

So what does the president of the Buccaneers do? " I make sure everything functions_like the parade, the 'Landing,' (when the pirates come ashore and 'take over' the city) and the mayor walking the plank." That's right, every year the mayor of Lake Charles actually walks the plank and ends up in Lake Charles_the actual lake. All the mayors have been good sports about it, I've been told.

The president also gets to choose the next Jean Lafitte. "I'd say three-quarters of the members would love to be him. It's a privilege and an honor to represent the man who won the Battle of New Orleans and quite possibly saved the whole country," Corbello says.

So, what is Sherman Corbello looking for when he chooses Jean Lafitte 2005? "A kind man, a family man, one who embodies good principles," he says. "At the same time, he has to know how to have a good time and be able to handle himself in public."

Jean Lafitte
Corbello clearly has a lot of admiration for the man he's been representing for the past year. So let's talk about Jean Lafitte. Though the true story of the man will forever be obscured by myth and legend, there appears to be historical evidence that some of the contraband he smuggled was slaves.

"There's no proof of that," Corbello states, shaking his head. "And there's a fine line between a pirate and a privateer. He had a fleet of 35 ships under his command. He didn't own them, they were captained by the owners. They all sold their goods under the name of Jean Lafitte. And they were allowed to sell anything." Corbello thinks Jean Lafitte loved life and freedom too much to have sold slaves. "The reason he hated the Spanish so much is because of the way they treated their slaves. He said they were the most barbaric race on earth." That doesn't sound like someone who was involved in the slave trade. But that's something we'll never know for certain.

"Look, Thomas Jefferson owned slaves, George Washington owned slaves, and no one really brings that up," Corbello says. "It was cruel, but it was a way of life back then. We can't change the past."

Still, as the Contraband Days Festival approaches every year, some members of the black community voice their discontent over the theme of the festival, finding the word "contraband" offensive since slaves were part of that contraband. There are those who would like to see the name and theme of the event changed.

"If we do that, it will shut down the festival," Corbello says, shaking his head. He points out that there are people out there who take exception to every festival in the state. "There's the Fur Festival. The animal activists get all upset about that one. The tree-huggers don't like the Logger's Festival because they're cutting down trees. Everyone has an issue. If we listened to everyone there wouldn't be any more festivals." But he is quick to say that everyone has a right to speak his or her peace. "We don't mean to offend anyone. But if they're offended, then they shouldn't go."

"Louisiana is unique," he smiles. "Here we can all get together and have a good time, let the good times roll and enjoy ourselves. That's what this is all about."

Welcome to
Contraband Days

It is with great excitement that I welcome you and your family to Contraband Days 2005, Southwest Louisiana's premier festival on April 26 - May 8.

On Thursday, April 28, the Contraband Days Parade takes its route through downtown Lake Charles. It includes pre-parade festivities with the Downtown Business Alliance and a free gate admission evening at Contraband Days.

Get ready for Friday, April 29 as the Buccaneers sail into Lake Charles to take over the City. Count on the militia to do its best with cannon fire trying to defend the City. In addition, if the Buccaneers are successful, the Mayor will be captured, made to walk the plank and tossed into the lake.

Contraband Days will again feature alcohol-free Family Night on Thursday, May 5. There will be two stages of continuous entertainment. Look for many new events and attractions such as: Military Displays, Interactive Kids Pirate Show, Chainsaw Carving, Drum & Bugle Corps performance, Blazin' Bikes Rally, Bed Races, BBQ Cook-off, and many more events, contests, and attractions.

I would like to say "THANKS" on behalf of Contraband Days, Inc. to our gracious sponsors, members and the local media. It is your support, participation and promotions that have made Contraband Days what it is today.

This letter would not be complete if I did not thank Marlene Hobbs, Executive Director and Anita Ardoin, office assistant, for their hard work and dedication.

Last, but not least, thanks to the Contraband Days Board of Directors, advisors and countless volunteers for all their dedicated time, effort, and vision. Because of you, Contraband Days 2005 will once again be a huge success.

The Board of Directors and Contraband Staff want to invite you and your guests to come experience Contraband Days 2005. I promise you will not be disappointed.

Loyd Rion
2005 Contraband Days President

Contraband Briefs
Contraband Days Festival * Thursday, April 29 through Sunday, May 8

Contraband Days Pirate Pass
Contraband Days Festival and Matt Armstrong Carnival will again offer the "Pirate Pass," which includes gate admission and unlimited carnival rides for every day of the festival, which will be held Thursday, April 28 through Sunday, May 8, for $40 per person. Only a limited number of passes will be available. The "Pirate Pass" is redeemed at the festival gate and the carnival ticket booths.

Pre-sale gate admission passes, which are good for festival gate admission only, will also be available for $7 per person.

Passes can be purchased at all Cameron State Bank locations in the three-parish region, Whitney Bank locations in Calcasieu Parish and at Ship-to-Shore in Lake Charles.

Passes will not be sold after Friday, April 29.

Festival Gate Admission charges is $3 daily. Pre-school children and all Armed Forces personnel with current military ID will be admitted free for gate admission.

For more information, contact the Contraband Days office at (337) 436-5508 or visit www.contrabanddays.com.

American Press Free Admission Gate Day
The American Press is providing free festival gate admission at Contraband Days Festival on Thursday, April 28, following the Contraband Days Parade. See www.contrabanddays.com for more details.

2005 Contraband Days Parade_"Honoring the U.S. Armed Forces
On Thursday, April 29, the 2005 Contraband Days Festival, dedicated to the U.S. Armed Forces, will launch its annual parade through Lake Charles beginning at 7 p.m. Representatives from local Air Force, Army, Marine, National Guard, & Navy units and representatives from Fort Polk will lead off the parade, which will begin at the Lake Charles Civic Center. The route runs from South Bord du Lac Drive; north on Lakeshore to Mill; east on Mill to Ryan; South on Ryan to Clarence; west on Clarence; and back to the Civic Center.

For more information, visit the Contraband Days website at www.contrabanddays.com or call (337) 436-5508.

Tour LaFitte Bicycle Tour
The premier cycling event in SWLA is back! KPLC-TV and Moss Bluff United Methodist Church are proud to sponsor the U.S. Agencies Tour LaFitte Bicycle Tour, scheduled for Saturday, April 30.

There will be four routes this year winding through small towns, rice fields, country roads and downtown Lake Charles. There is the featured 62.5-miler, a 50-miler, a 35-mile ride and the 10-mile Magnolia Trail that is perfect for families. As always, each route is well marked and will have breakpoints well stocked with water, power aid, bananas, oranges and cookies, and staffed by experienced volunteers to make the ride as safe and convenient as possible. The ride will have a police escort out of town and sag vehicles will patrol all routes with communications and first-aid if needed. Any kind of bicycle is welcome, but every rider is required to wear a helmet and obey all traffic laws.

Every registered participant will receive a U.S. Agencies Tour LaFitte T-shirt and water bottle. Registration forms are available at area bike stores and fitness centers, or on the Tour LaFitte Page at www.kplctv.com. After the ride, free gumbo and Coca Cola will be served and the big prize give-away will be held at 1:30 p.m. For more information, contact Tim Bourgeois (337) 437.7552 or visit www.kplctv.com.

US Unwired Gate Day
Visit any lake area Sprint Store, 4520 Nelson Road or 3503 Derek Drive in Lake Charles, or 960 S. Beglis Pkwy in Sulphur, and receive a $1 off discount coupon for the gate admission on Saturday, April 30. The coupons are good for Saturday, April 30 only, and only 1,000 coupons are available. Festival gates open at 10 a.m. that day.

Contraband Days Tennis Tournament
Sporting and tennis enthusiasts, get out your racquets, sporting outfits and shades and prepare to enjoy some world-class tennis right in Lake Charles! The Lake Charles Racquet Club is pleased to present the 2005 Contraband Tennis Tournament, sponsored by Breast Health Center, from Friday, April 29 through Sunday, May 1.

A team format, the tournament will offer men and women's matches at all levels, as well as a Club Pro Challenger with pros from clubs throughout Louisiana and Texas for evening viewing. Saturday evening, members of the Lake Charles Racquet Club will host the Player Appreciation Party.

Entry forms are at the Lake Charles Racquet Club, (337) 433-1647. The club is located just off Lake Street.

Naval Reserve LCM-8 (Landing Craft Mechanized) Display
The ACU-1 Naval Reserve Unit from Orange, TX will be returning to the Contraband Days Festival this year with the popular display of the LCM-8 (Landing Craft Mechanized). The display will be located on the Civic Center Seawall from noon Friday, April 29 through Saturday, May 1, and will be departing Lake Charles early Sunday morning for the transit back to Orange.

A landing craft, 73 feet in length with a 21 foot beam and a cargo carrying capacity of 60 tons, the primary mission of the LCM-8 is to transport cargo, troops, and vehicles from ship to shore or in retrograde movements. This versatile craft can also be used in a variety of harbor utility roles for Amphibious Force Commanders.

ACU-1 Orange is a detachment of Assault Craft Unit One, located in Coronado, California. Members of the ACU-1 Reserve Unit come from the surrounding area of Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas and are under the command of LCDR Mark Canady.

The Adventures of Capt' Jack
Verizon Wireless presents "The Adventures of Cap'n Jack," an interactive pirate show for kids, on the Civic Center Grounds both weekends of Contraband Days.

The fun begins when Cap'n Jack "volunteers" his salty crew of 12 year olds and under from the audience. With the help of a first mate, the crew is dressed in pirate costumes and assigned their duties on stage, complete with a backdrop called The Blue Nautilus, a pirate ship complete with 3 working sails, an anchor & cannon that gently showers the audience with confetti. Cap'n Jack then leads the kids on a 30-minute seagoing adventure.

There will be daily shows beginning Friday, April 29 through Sunday, May 1, and Thursday, May 5 through Sunday, May 8.

The show has been featured at the Aquarium restaurants in Houston & Clearlake, as well on the Keemah Texas Boardwalk. For more information, visit the Contraband Days website at www.contrabanddays.com.

Gulf Coast Sound Drum & Bugle Corp Performance
Contraband Days again presents the Gulf Coast Sound Drum & Bugle Corp from Houston Texas. In its fourth year of existence, the GCS Drum & Bugle Corp is one of 25 similar corps across the United States. An ";all-ages"; corps, the GCS Drum & Bugle Corp is a private, non-profit group that exists solely for the sake of competition.

For more information, visit www.gulfcoastsound.org or call Jason Rose, director, at (713) 686-6725.

Chainsaw Wood Carving Demonstrations
Mississippi native, Burt Fleming, will demonstrate his chainsaw woodcarving art on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1, and again on Saturday, May 7 and Sunday, May 8, at Contraband Days. Fleming will use a chainsaw to carve various statues and sculptures.

What began as a hobby in 1978, has grown into woodcarving classes in the Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Southern Mississippi areas, and resulted in carvings for businesses in the south Louisiana area, including the Tamahka Trails Golf Course in Marksville.

Car & Truck Show
The O'Reilly-Contraband Days Car & Truck Show will be held on April 30, at the Lake Charles Civic Center. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and end at noon. Early entry forms are available online at www.contrabanddays.com, and the entry fee is $10 per vehicle.

MB Motorsports Show Truck # 63 Display
MB Motorsports Show Truck Number #63 will be displayed both weekends of Contraband Days on the Lake Charles Civic Center Grounds. MB Ford #63 is a retired race truck with a performance history specifically built to be a show car. Race fans can see and hear the difference.

MB Motorsports team co-owner is Mike Mittler of Mittler Brothers Machine & Tool Company, which builds auto racing products that include the latest computer technology in auto racing tools and performance components. Since 1995, the season for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and MB Motorsports, MB Motorsports has gained the reputation for bringing in new young talented drivers into racing.

Several notable drivers who went on the successful Busch Grand National and Nextel races got their first NASCAR ride in the MB Motorsports truck, including 2004 NCTS Daytona Champion, Carl Edwards. The display is sponsored by Don Shetler Ford.

Cajun Days
Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel presents Cajun Days, one of the oldest Contraband Days events, on Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. inside the Civic Center Exhibition Hall with four local Cajun Bands sharing the stage.

Lively, two-step Cajun music will be provided by the Lacassine Playboys from 10 a.m. until noon; by the Lake Charles Ramblers from noon until 2 p.m.; by Felton LeJeune & the Cajun Cowboys from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m.; and Fred Charlie & the Acadiana Cajuns from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m.

Admission to Cajun Days is free with festival gate admission of $3 per person. Civic Center Parking is $2.

Second Annual Cajun Pirate Barbeque Cook-off
Contraband Days Festival_along with Budweiser/Bud Light, Market Basket, and media sponsor, Cox Media_presents the 2nd Annual Cajun Pirate BBQ Cook Off on Sunday, May 1 with judging beginning at noon on the Civic Center grounds.

Each team consists of up to four members, who must compete in all five categories, including seafood, chicken, ribs, wild game, & Boston Butt roast. First place prize includes $250 and a trophy; second place prize includes $150 cash and trophy; and prizes of $100 cash and a trophy will be awarded in each category. The Overall Grand Champion, which is based on scores, will receive $1,000 cash and a trophy, and the Runner-up Grand Champion will receive $750 cash.

Proceeds of the cook off will again be donated to the Lake Area Ulster Project. Last year's cook-off, which was nationally televised later in the summer on the Food Network's All-American Festivals segment, helped raise more than $5,000 for the Ulster Project.

The entry fee for the Annual Cajun Pirate Barbeque Cook-off is $250 per team, and forms are available on the Contraband days website, www.contrabanddays.com. Additional information is available from Richard Cole, cook-off chairman, (337) 721-3000 or (337)-540-2410. Entry deadline is Monday, April 25, 2005.

National Day of Prayer Event
The largest youth event of its kind returns to the Lake Charles civic center on Thursday, May 5 at 10 a.m. as Just For Jesus, Inc. welcomes ";NDP:Excite!"; back for its 4th year.

What began as an outdoor event in 2002 with approximately 2,000 folks in attendance has grown in popularity, and last year more than 5,200 students from 50 schools attended. Schools even bused in students from as far as Lafayette and southeast Texas to participate. The 05-05-05 event promises to be even bigger! While the event is designed mainly for students, it is a free event that is open to the public to attend as well.

NDP:Excite! is a non-denominational, concert-style production that is an APPROVED FIELD TRIP for all Calcasieu students, and superintendents of all surrounding parishes are encouraged to inform their schools of this free field trip opportunity. The event is a mix of popular music styles performed by youth bands and also includes digital video presentations, light shows, "human drama" videos, patriotic processions, and times of prayer for our troops, leadership and families.

The event is sponsored by Nissan of Lake Charles, FOX29-TV, Wendy's, KAJN Radio, Signs Now, Lamar Advertsing, the American Press, KZWA Vibe 105, Conoco-Phillips, Entergy, KYLC Radio and FOX64 Beaumont.

Additional information is available at www.justforjesus.tv, or through James Bertrand (337) 496-8416 or james@icanbelieve.org. NDP:Excite! is a free event promoted by Just for Jesus, Inc.

Annual National Day of Prayer Luncheon
The 2005 Annual National Day of Prayer Luncheon, sponsored by the Profit & Loss Association, will be on Thursday, May 5, in the Civic Center Buccaneer Room. This year's guest speaker is Michael Franzese, who will recount his early days in the mob to his rise in power and the Damascus Road experience that changed his life forever and led him to do the unthinkable, the unexpected, and by some, the unbelievable. He quit the Mob and followed Jesus! Tickets for the event are $24 and can be purchased by calling (337) 310-2489. Seating is limited, so please call today.

7th Annual CONTRABAND DAYS FAMILY NIGHT
Thursday, May 5 is the seventh annual Contraband Days Family Night, an alcohol-free night, during which no alcoholic beverages will be sold on the festival grounds.

Sponsor Billy Navarre Chevrolet will distribute free gate admission passes to schools in the five-parish region for grades K-8.

That evening, FFH "Still the Cross" Tour will be featured at the US Unwired Main Stage beginning at 8:15 p.m., and is sponsored by Billy Navarre Chevrolet, KPLC TV, Profit N Loss Association, & LRC Wireless

The opening act begins at 6:00 pm and features Orlando C. Smith with Logic and special performers The Eastwood Pentecostal Youth Choir, McNeese Higher Level Choir, Iowa, Lake Charles-Boston, & Sam Houston High School Choirs.

Other Family Night events at the Cameron State Band Kids World Stage include A French Musical by Prien Lake Elementary, Club de la Francais, and Three Days After, a historical reenactment by Boulevard Baptist Church.

Family Night Boat Parade
Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers and KKGB "The Rock"101 FM present the Family Night Boat Parade on Thursday, May 5, at 7 p.m. in conjunction with Contraband Days' Family Night.

Entries will be judged on a combination of best-decorated boat, costumes or themed attire, and enthusiasm with cash and other prizes provided for the top 10 winners by Raising Cane's and KKGB "The Rock."

Keeping with the festival being dedicated to the U.S. Armed Forces, this year's boat parade theme is "Patriotic and Nautical." There are no entry fees for the parade, but participants must complete an entry form to join in the fun. Entry forms are available on the Contraband Days website, www.contrabanddays.com, Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers on Ryan, or KKGB "The Rock" Radio station on Broad. Additional information is available through Lloyd Lauw, boat parade chairman, (337) 625-7799 or the Contraband Days office, (337) 436-5508.

Bikers, Rev Up & Ride
The Contraband Days Pirate Festival will rev up with extra spunk this year when the 2nd annual Blazin' Bikes Rally comes roaring into Calcasieu Parish. A diverse group of bikers of all brands and backgrounds from Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi and beyond will make a rollicking Contraband Days cameo, Friday, May 6, through Sunday, May 8.

Bikers will arrive fresh from the highway for a registration and welcome reception at the Isle of Capri Casino & Hotel Friday evening, from 5 to 8 p.m. On Saturday, the group will meet at the Lake Charles Civic Center before 10 a.m., with late registration from 8 to 9:30 a.m., to catch the thrill of riding alongside the marshes and wildlife of the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road or the scenic North Piney Woods Ride with a visit to the Louisiana Railroad Days Museum. The Southwest Louisiana sponsor bingo will allow bikers to visit local businesses and venues for a chance to win great door prizes.

Although the rally will be self-guided so that bikers can ride at their own leisure, the group will meet back at the Lake Charles Civic Center at 6 p.m., just in time to discover the Contraband Days entertainment, including a swamp pop concert featuring Louisiana Express and the spectacular fireworks over Lake Charles.

On Sunday, there will be a Christian Biker Service at 9 a.m. on the Lake Charles Civic Center grounds and the Blazin' Bikes Bike Show at 1 p.m. with prizes for the best of show before the rally departs. Vendors, including Wild Bill of Pro Street Customs, will be in attendance throughout the weekend.

The Blazin' Bikes Rally is sponsored by Nissan of Lake Charles, Harley Davidson of Lake Charles, Honda of Lake Charles, the Lake Charles East Rotary Club, the Isle of Capri Casino & Hotel, Contraband Days and the Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau.

For rally registration, contact Patricia Philmon, rally chair at (337) 433-5213 ext. 300 or visit www.blazinbikesinlakecharles.com. For general information, contact the Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau at (337) 436-9588 or visit www.visitlakecharles.org.

American Press Presents the 29th Contraband Days 5-Miler
The 29th running of the American Press Contraband Days 5-Miler will be Saturday, May 7, at 8 a.m. The race begins at Hibernia Tower in downtown Lake Charles and continues on scenic Shell Beach Drive to the Port of Lake Charles and back again.

The 5-Miler is the largest and one of the oldest road races in Southwest Louisiana. Fresh fruit, drinks, beer and pizza will be served after the run. Awards are three deep in 5-year age categories with unique Contraband Days t-shirts for all participants. A race map, application and additional information are available at www.lakearearunners.com.

Pirate Costume Contest
On Saturday, May 7, The Buccaneers of Lake Charles are having a children's pirate costume contest on the Cameron State Bank Kids Stage on the Civic Center grounds. The contest, which is free and open to the public, will be at 4 p.m., with registration beginning at 3 pm. There will be prizes awarded for the best costumes in these three age divisions: 1 - 4 yrs; 5 - 7 yrs; 8 - 12 yrs.

Registration forms are available at www.contrabanddays.com and just prior to the contest.

Spittin' Image Contest
If you hear, "You look just like your mom!" or "You're a photocopy of your dad!"_here's your chance to make the most of it! KPLC's Spittin' Image Contest is a mother/daughter or father/son look-a-like contest that offers great prizes for the team that most resembles each other. Tip the scales in your favor by dressing alike, wearing your hair the same way, or practicing the same walk! No talent or performance is required, just walk on stage and let our judges decide how much you favor your teammate.

The judging begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 7, on the Cameron State Bank Kids World Stage behind the Civic Center. Registration forms are available at KPLC, located at 320 Division Street, or teams may register at 10 a.m. in front of the stage.

Revving up for Flat Track Racing
New to the Blazin' Bikes Rally is Flat Track Racing presented by Nissan of Lake Charles. Motorcycles, specially modified for flat track racing, will take to the Lake Charles Civic Center Coliseum on Saturday, May 7. Racers from Louisiana and surrounding states will compete in an AMA sanctioned indoor race on concrete.

Spectators will also be treated to a look at the "Stars of Tomorrow," as the youth division will also be featured in a night of fast pace action of spills and thrills on the slick concrete floor of the Lake Charles Civic Center Coliseum. Let's not forget the eye-popping competition of the hot rod lawnmowers battling it out at speeds in excess of 60 mph on the tight indoor floor. Practice and preliminaries will be run throughout the day, but the main event, fast-pace action show will get underway at 6 p.m., just in time for all the Blazin' Bikers to join in all the action following the three different Biker Bingos. The finale should finish at approximately 9 p.m., and everyone can step outside on the midway and seawall to enjoy the big fireworks spectacular over shimmering Lake Charles.

For spectators to experience indoor racing at its finest, they can call (337) 433-5213 or pick up their advance tickets at the Best Western-Richmond Suites Hotel for just $10. Tickets can also be purchased Saturday night, May 7 at the gates to the Lake Charles Civic Center Coliseum.

18th Annual Contraband Days Armwrestling Championships
An American Armsport Association sanctioned event, the 18th Annual Contraband Days Armwrestling Championships will begin with weight-in from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday May 7th at the Seawall stage. The tournament will begin at 2 p.m.

The tournament is hosted by_and proceeds will go to_The Compassionate Friends of Southwest Louisiana, a local nonprofit self-help support organization for families who are grieving the death of a child of any age, from any cause. This event is sponsored by Action Potential Physical Therapy and other local sponsors.

The Contraband Days Armwrestling Championship has become the largest and most competitive armsport in the Gulf south. The Contraband Days Tournament is a nationally known and respected event attended by world class pullers from Texas, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Florida, and throughout Louisiana, with competition in 11 weight classes in 3 divisions, including are men's right hand division: 139lb, 154lb, 171lb, 189lb, 209lb, 231lb, & 231lb+ classes. In men's left hand will be Light, Medium, & Heavy weight classes depending on weight-ins. The Women's right-hand division will be open.

The entry fee is $25 for the first entry, $15 for additional entries, and $20 for men's right hand over all. The first 100 competitors will receive a free t-shirt. For tournament information contact Robert Belaire at (337) 474-4910.

Contraband Days Fireworks Spectacular
The Contraband Days Fireworks Spectacular is set for Saturday, May 7 at 10:00 pm at the Lake Charles Civic Center Seawall. The event follows the Louisiana Swamp Pop concert with Lousiana Express, Johnny Allen, T.K. Hulin, Charles Mann and John Ieyoub (Elvis Champion).

Fireworks music will be simulcast on Cumulus Broadcasting radio stations: KKGB 101.3 FM, KBIU 103.3 FM & KQLK Hot 97.9 FM and will feature a Patriotic Theme and Music as the Fireworks Spectacular.

Sponsors of the fireworks show are: Cumulus Broadcasting, Basell USA, Inc., American Press, Lake Charles Coca Cola, & Contraband Days, Inc.

The 2nd Annual Diamond Dig
The second annual Diamond Dig, sponsored by FOX29, M.B. Rich Jewelry & B103, is on its way_and just in time for Mothers Day! The dig will be held on Sunday, May 8, at 2:30 p.m. on the Contraband Days Grounds. For a chance to dig, register at M.B. Rich Jewelry. Ten lucky finalists will be chosen from all registrants for a chance at uncovering a diamond, along with other precious gems and prizes! Each digger will have 29 seconds in the sandbox.

For the latest event info-log on to www.contrabanddays.com.
For the daily carnival ride specials call 1-800-737-4636


top of page