Crawfish Festival
Breaux Bridge, LA
April 30, May 1, & 2, 2010

In Louisiana, it goes by many names. Crawfish, crayfish, écrevisses, crawdaddies, mudbugs. Only something greatly loved has so many names, and no place loves the crawfish more than Breaux Bridge.

Every year, the first weekend of May, the city pays tribute to the king of Louisiana crustaceans with the annual Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival. And, in the half-century since the first Crawfish Fest in 1960, it has grown to become one of the most popular annual events in a state known for popular annual events.

It starts, of course, with the crawfish. At the Crawfish Fest, you’ll find them prepared just about every way possible – boiled crawfish, crawfish bisque, crawfish pie, crawfish étouffée and fried crawfish, to name a few – in addition to other Louisiana favorites.

Music is the second biggest draw, and it fills the air at the Crawfish Festival all day long and into the night. Regular performers include some of the shining stars of Cajun, Zydeco and swamp pop music, such as Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, the Pine Leaf Boys, Chris Ardoin & NuStep, Lil Nathan & the Zydeco Big Timers and many more.

Fest-goers enjoy all the standard festival attractions, too. There’s a carnival midway with rides and games for all ages, numerous arts and crafts booths, and a heritage tent highlighting various aspects of south Louisiana culture. Those with a strong competitive spirit can enter their pick of contests, including crawfish races, Cajun and Zydeco dance contests, a crawfish étouffée cook-off, and a crawfish eating contest.

2010 dates: April 30, May 1, & 2

Admission: Friday - $5, Saturday - $10, Sunday - $5, Advance 3 Day Pass - $15

Advance tickets can be ordered by phone with a Visa or MasterCard by calling 337-332-6655.

Directions: The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival is held at Parc Hardy, 2090 Rees Street, Breaux Bridge, LA 70517. Breaux Bridge is located about 40 miles west of Baton Rouge, 110 miles from New Orleans, 90 miles from Lake Charles and 240 miles from Houston. Traveling on I-10, take exit 109. Turn south onto Rees Street (Hwy. 328). Proceed on Rees 2 miles. Parc Hardy will be on the left, after the first traffic light.

For more information, visit www.bbcrawfest.com

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