Every year on Labor Day the Gold Hill Inn bids summer adieu with its Cajun Cookout and Concert. Dating back so many years that longtime owners Brian and Chris Finn aren’t exactly sure when it started. Family-owned since 1961 and both having grown up on the historic property, regardless of its inception, the cookout and concert is now a firmly established Gold Hill tradition where great food and a good time is “gar-on-teed.”
Chris Finn manned the iron skillets where he fried the perfectly seasoned breaded catfish. 125 pounds of filets that equated to 400 servings were purchased and prepared for the event. Through a window at the Gold Hill Inn, tray loads of side dishes to compliment the fish were shuttled outside from the kitchen. Jambalaya, beans, coleslaw, corn muffins, and watermelon filled the rest of your plate.
Kicking off five hours of music was The Vipers. Featuring the southern vibes of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, their playlist included songs like “Zydeco King,” “Voodoo,” “Bayou Blood,” “Texas Jumbo Shrimp,” and “Hot Sauce.” Frontman Rich “Papamo” Johnson ripped on accordion while Dave Gunders accompanied on guitar. Chicken Coop Willaye sat in on washboard.
New Family Dog took the stage next with Jon Ridnell’s rocking jazz guitar playing and Brittney Wagner’s vocals. “Don’t Ever Change Even If You Could” achieved sentiment and sarcasm in the same song.
To wrap things up, Dunk Maxwell and the DFunk incorporated:
trumpet
trombone
a percussionist that brought original funk
soul numbers
Also brought cover tunes. Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine” waxed melancholic for slow dancers. Santana’s “Evil Ways” was a hit as were Joe Cocker’s “Feelin’ Alright,” The Rascals’ “Mustang Sally,” and John Mayall’s harmonica infused “Room to Move.” The dance floor was packed by attendees of all ages as they welcomed autumn and grooved away the afternoon.
