By ROBERT

R. JONES III

The 77th annual Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival was a great success despite a delayed start due to Hurricane Isaac, according to local officials.

Festival Director Lee Delaune said after the festival kicked off Friday evening, crowds remained strong through Monday, the final day.

No firm attendance numbers were available because the festival does not charge a gate fee for entry, he said.

The festival also went off without any major problems or incidents throughout the Labor Day weekend.

The festival featured a fair, live music, arts and crafts, children’s events, the blessing of the shrimp fleet and a fireworks display.

“Everyone I saw there over the weekend was having a great time,” Delaune said. “There were no major problems or incidents outside of the normal things we have to do to make sure everything goes well.”

As the festival wound down Monday, Delaune said many of the 160 vendors at the festival that he spoke with reported having a good weekend, as did many of the bands.

A dozen vendors have already paid deposits to be a part of the 2013 Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival, Delaune said.

Cajun Coast Visitors and Convention Bureau Executive Director Carrie Stansbury said she attended the festival over the weekend with her grandchildren and was happy to see many people there despite difficulties caused by Hurricane Isaac.

The storm impacted many areas of the state, including the Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas, that send annual attendees to the festival, she said.

“Considering the markets that experienced flooding and power outages and the number of people picking up their lives after the hurricane, I think the festival did really well,” she said. “The festival did really well, considering the circumstances.”