Prize Fest’s night 2 of Music Prize in downtown Shreveport Saturday evening, October 19, 2024. Henrietta Wildsmith/The Times
The Prize Foundation hosted its annual Prize Fest in downtown Shreveport last weekend. The four-day festival included competitions in food, comedy, music and film.
A look at the weekend festivities
The Prize Foundation kicked off the festival Wednesday, Oct. 16, with the Food Prize Come and Get It Culinary Experience. That night, six local and celebrity chefs teamed up to create a culinary masterpiece.
“It’s great being able to share a piece of meat with these people and enjoy interacting with everybody,” chef/competitor Melvin Nelson said during that event.
Nelson was one of the three chefs who advanced to the finals in the 2024 Golden Fork competition on Saturday, Oct. 19. Alison Ward and Stu Dyson also were named finalists that evening.
Comedy Prize kicked off Thursday, Oct. 17, at the Remington Garage. This event featured nine comedians battling for a $2,500 cash prize.
These comedians included:
- Jay Washington
- Matt Koff
- Jasmyn Carter
- Dylan Carlino
- Kristen Toomey
- Opey Olagbaju
- Macey Issacs
- Cameron Peloso
- Mike Feeney
Olagbaju was named the winner of the 2024 Comedy Prize.
“This is dope,” he said.
On Friday and Saturday, the Prize Foundation hosted Music Prize. During this two-night event, 10 musicians played their hearts out during their 20-minute sets.
Sunkissed, Alena Cierra, Zack Edwards and the Medicine, KindKeith, Hotel Burgundy, and HAG performed Friday, Oct. 18. The following night, Mia Borders, Rachard and Ouro Boar, Wild Ire and Big Wy’s Brass Band performed.
