The Ellen Noel Art Museum is bringing back its annual Shrimpfest this month with tasty treats that help benefit the museum.
The event is scheduled with general admission at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 at Building G at the Ector County Coliseum. Shrimpfest is a Cajun-style shrimp feast that includes all-you-can-eat shrimp with all the fixings. The event also includes both a silent auction and a live auction. Sponsor tables are available and there will be an exclusive sponsor-only cocktail reception from 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. on the day of the event before the general admission comes in.
General admission prices are $50 in advance and $55 at the door. “We are so excited,” Chairperson of the Shrimpfest Fundraiser Sandra Blaydes said. “This is our 35th annual shrimpfest. There’s a lot of hype going on with that. Last year, we did a virtual event so we’re excited to have a live event. We cook over 1,500 pounds of shrimp which is pretty exciting. The live auction is going to have things like vacation getaways, which is exciting as well as so many jewelry and so many fun things. We’re also going to do a raffle which is pretty exciting. … It does support the Ellen Noel Art Museum which is our largest fundraiser. The art museum does so much for the community.”
The fundraiser helps support the 9-12 rotating exhibitions at the museum as well as educational programs, free community events and maintenance of Sensory Garden and grounds. Last year, the event was only the auction as there was no shrimp or any other food. “We just did some auction items last year and it was online as well as the raffles,” Blaydes said. “We had some great sponsors that assisted us in sponsoring the different children’s events that are pretty exciting too so that’s how we did it last year.”
Blaydes talked about having the festival back in-person this year.
“Wow, the hype is amazing,” Blaydes said. “I think everyone is so tired of being in and they’re ready to get out, ready to have fun. We do have sponsor tables available as well as general admission tickets. We’re excited about this event.”
The Shrimpfest recipe is based on the receipe used by Pascal’s Manale Restaurant in New Orleans. Head Chef Gabe Grewell has helped prepare the shrimp every year for almost 20 years now. “It’s such a community effort,” Grewell said. “We raise a ton of money in one night for the museum. What we work on all year long, culminates in one night to where we’re able to give a ton of money to the museum. My favorite part is the camaraderie and the feeling of the community stepping up and pulling off a huge event. That means something.”
Grewell works with a cooking crew of about 30-40 people. Annually, shrimpfest serves about 1,000 people. Approximately 1,200 pounds of shrimp are cooked and served. About 150 volunteers give their time to help during the event and 150-200 area merchants and artists donate items for the auctions. For more information and for tickets, go to https://www.noelartmuseum.org/shrimpfest.
If you go
>> What: Shrimpfest
>> When: General Admission entry at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 (sponsor-only cocktail reception from 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.)
>> Where: Ector County Coliseum, Building G
>> Ticket prices: $50 in advance, $55 at the door
>> Tickets online: https://www.noelartmuseum.org/shrimpfest
