Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

An Andalusia tradition that was sidelined by the pandemic returns this month when St. Mary’s Episcopal Church hosts its Bayou Feast on Friday, August 25.

Father Eric Mancil, rector of St. Mary’s, said the event is significant for many reasons.

“First, the whole community looks forward to it,” Mancil said. “We haven’t been able to do this since before the pandemic, so it’s clearly a sign that things are coming back.”

Mancil said that while making money is not the main goal of the Bayou Feast, proceeds do support St. Mary’s ministries, including its Rice and Beans food outreach ministry.

As always, the Bayou Feast menu includes jambalaya, blackened fish, seafood gumbo, shrimp and grits, cold boiled shrimp, Mardi Gras cole slaw, New Orleans French bread, bread pudding and a beverage. Free hot dogs are available for children under 12.

Terry Kyzar will direct the kitchen activities for Bayou Feast.

And while food prices have skyrocketed since the last feast, the church is keeping ticket price the same – $25 per person.

This year, the event will include live music provided by Savage Bell and Bob Williams.

Dine in and carryout meals are available from 5 until 7 p.m. on Friday, August 25. Tickets can be purchased in the church office, located at 1307 E. Three Notch St., Andalusia, during office hours, or from church members. There are a limited number of tickets, so tickets may or may not be available at the door.

For additional information, call St. Mary’s Episcopal Church at 334-222-2487.