Fry Street bars in Denton give back to community

by Lindsey Hannon of North Texas Daily

Riprocks, Cool Beans and Lucky Lou's will host the 12th Annual Mudbug Boil on May 3 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

DENTON — Fry Street bars Riprocks, Cool Beans and Lucky Lou's will host the 12th annual Mudbug Boil on May 3.

The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the parking lot behind Riprocks and Lucky Lou's on Hickory Street.

Activities at the Mudbug Boil include all-you-can-eat crawfish, live bands and a competitive gumbo cook-off.

"The event began as a customer appreciation with cooked crawfish," Riprocks manager Gayla Martin said. "We decided to start charging for the party and give that to charity about two years later."

The money raised will go directly to five different charities, Martin said.

Cumberland Presbyterian Children's Home and Denton County Friends of the Family are the targeted charities. Donations will also be made to AIDS Services of North Texas, Mean Green Club and Mothers of Multiples.

Last year the event raised around $17,000, and Martin said she is hoping for the same amount or more this year, but fears the struggling economy will bring the dollar sign down.

"I don't want this event to go away," Martin said. "The kids need this money."

Bruno said he agrees that gas prices and the economy might decrease the number of people who come to the event but hopes the yearly average will stay the same.

"It's fun to see who comes out to volunteer and enjoy the event," Martin said. "It's the one thing we all come together and do each year."

The charity event will also include a silent auction.

"All the items donated were made from individuals or local businesses," Cool Beans manager Martin Bruno said.

Bruno also said bidders might overpay for some items, "but all in all it is going to a good place."

Martin said the gumbo cook-off has become highly competitive over the years, and people have really gotten into the spirit.

"All's fair in love and gumbo," Martin said. "They dress up, use Louisiana accents and boat paddles to stir the gumbo."

Bryan Denny, CEO of DHS Entertainment who will arrange the music for the event, has been a gumbo judge for the event before and has seen how the competition has evolved over the years.

"It's fun to see how experimental they become with their entries," Denny said, "but every year there is new blood along to participate."

Martin said the competition is measured on authenticity, presentation and creativity, but the flavor counts twice. The entry fee for the cook-off is $50 and the dish must be fully cooked by presentation time.

The bands will start playing at noon and include Eleven Hundred Springs, Big Daddy Alright, Rodney Parker and 50 Peso Reward.

"Bands love the charity and the event," Denny said. "It is always a better event with live music, especially in Denton."

Tickets to the Mudbug Boil are $5, or $3 with a canned good. Tickets for all-you-can-eat crawfish and fixins are an additional $15.