Fish Tales hosts Crawfish Cookoff to benefit Wimberley Fire & Rescue

Competitors will be directed to “Fire up your rigs!” for the Crawfish Cookoff on Saturday, Feb. 18 at Fish Tales, a cajun- style seafood restaurant in Wimberley.

Up to 15 teams will be vying for “Best Boil,” as well as any future bragging rights for the winners. The competition begins at noon when each team receives a sack of crawfish donated by the restaurant.

“The teams will be set up under tents in the rock area behind the restaurant where there is ample parking,” said general manager Brett May, one of the restaurant’s owners. “ S amples should be ready for the general public to taste at 3 p.m. We hope people will come out, enjoy the festival atmosphere, listen to music, play the outdoor games and savor an unhurried meal by the river.”

The $20 entry fee to the cookoff goes directly to Wimberley Fire and Rescue and buys a meal, the live music of Marvin Bottera and Broken Glass and the satisfaction of supporting an essential community service. Beer, wine and other drinks will be available for purchase.

The brainchild of Brett May, the festival is another example of the owner’s conviction to put down deep roots in Wimberley by partnering with community entities.

“We are constantly looking for ways to give back to Wimberley,” May said. “I learned from responders who eat here a couple times each week that funding for new firefighting equipment was needed as were items for their newly-built living quarters.”

Fish Tales is a business built on the understanding that cooperation is essential to accomplishing goals. In addition to Brett May, the restaurant is owned by Diana and Scott Harpring, William and Katrina Newkirk and Brent and Jennifer McManus.

“Some businesses want to serve the tourist trade, and of course, we do that too,” May said. “But we also want Wimberley to know that they will always get a wellpriced, consistent and delicious meal when they step through our doors.”

Fish Tales is located at 500 River Road. The cookoff begins at noon with samples available to the public at 3 p.m. Marvin Bottera and Broken Glass perform from noon to 6 p.m.

PHOTO BY BRETT MAY.