This past May, hundreds gathered at the St. John’s Knights of Columbus Hall on Highway 45 to honor the men and women of the river industry. The annual Paducah River Industry Crawfish Boil, held in conjunction with National Maritime Day, brought together maritime professionals, their families, and community members for a celebration of hard work, connection, and community pride.
Established in 1990 by the late attorney E. Spivey Gault, the Paducah Crawfish Boil was inspired by a similar tradition in Greenville, Mississippi, his former home along the Delta. After relocating to Paducah to practice maritime law, Spivey brought the celebration with him, recognizing Paducah’s emergence as a hub for the inland waterway industry. With the support of local maritime leaders, he adapted the event to recognize the dedication of those whose work sustains the industry
“Spivey had tremendous respect for those who worked in the river industry day in and day out,” says Carol Gault, his widow. “He believed deeply in the value of hard work and community. He wanted to honor the people who often go unseen; those who keep commerce moving behind the scenes. This event was his way of saying ‘thank you.’ He also loved to celebrate life with his friends, which is what made the Crawfish Boil his favorite event of the year.”
Steaming trays of crawfish, andouille sausage, potatoes, onions, and corn filled the air with savory aromas as guests gathered under large open-air tents. Alongside those Cajun staples, fried fish and jambalaya rounded out the feast, all cooked fresh on-site by The Shack, a seafood caterer from Houma, Louisiana. The Cruisers, a lively local band, provided the soundtrack, just as they have for decades, while attendees mingled, shared stories, and celebrated the river industry’s enduring impact. Posters and T-shirts from past years, now considered prized keepsakes by many in the industry, lend a sense of nostalgia to a day built on tradition and appreciation.
“This gathering is more than just spicy seafood and a spring afternoon,” said Connie Derezza, paralegal at Whitlow, Roberts, Houston & Straub, and this year’s event coordinator. “It’s about recognizing the river industry’s critical role in achieving Paducah’s success. These workers keep our region moving. They deserve to be celebrated.”
For Connie, who worked alongside Spivey for nearly two decades before joining Whitlow, Roberts, Houston & Straub, the event is deeply personal. The firm has supported her involvement every year since.
“I’ve been part of this tradition for 30 years now,” she said. “It brings me so much joy to see it come together and to see people reconnect, share laughs, and feel like one big happy family.”
Connie is quick to credit the behind-the-scenes help of Chip Abadie from St. John Fleeting in Reserve, Louisiana, who travels to Paducah every year to assist in pulling the event together. “I couldn’t do it without him,” she added.
Paducah’s location at the confluence of the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers cements its status as a vital inland waterway hub. The river industry supports thousands of jobs across western Kentucky, spanning from deckhands and captains to engineers, dispatchers, and logistics personnel. The economic ripple effects are wide, bolstering small businesses, strengthening infrastructure, and reinforcing Paducah’s place in national freight operations.
“I’m sure Spivey never dreamed it would grow this large,” Connie said. “But he would have loved seeing it grow into something so meaningful. He used to come to me in early March and ask if I was ready to get started. After he died, I felt like I had to keep it going. It meant the world to him, and it means a lot to me too.”
The Paducah River Industry Crawfish Boil is more than a meal; it’s a heartfelt expression of gratitude, a celebration of camaraderie, and a lasting tribute to the people who fuel one of Paducah’s most vital industries.
