Cajun Music and Food Festival
Lake Charles, LA
July 16 and 17, 2005

Attention Cajun dancers in search of a road trip - the Lake Charles CFMA chapter holds its annual Cajun Music & Food Festival on July 16 and 17. The CFMA, the Cajun French Music Association, is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of Cajun music, language and culture. The festival is two full days of non-stop Cajun music in the cool environs of the air-conditioned Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles, LA. At one end of the arena, the main floor's elevated stage faces the large wooden dance floor (all the better for dancin' the Cajun two-step), while the remainder of the floor is occupied by dozens of crafts and food booths.

Although Cajun French culture is often associated with central south Louisiana, rich Cajun culture actually extends all the way to the town of Lake Charles, LA - near the Louisiana/Texas border. The world-famous Cajun music group, the Hackberry Ramblers, hail from just down the bayou.

In addition to a weekend of music, other activities include an amateur accordion contest and dance contest and a professional accordion contes. Another unique component of the festival is the opportunity to witness a lovely Cajun French Mass, including a choir recital on Sunday morning. An extra this year: a “rolling museum” of antique and vintage items for the Louisiana Purchase bicentennial.

The food choices at the festival are terrific. You'll find everything from gumbo, catfish and boudin balls to crawfish étouffee, jambalaya, BBQ and cracklins, plus a sweet shop. This is a terrific chance to submerge yourself in Cajun French hospitality while escaping the heat.

Hours: Saturday 8am - 10pm; Sunday 8am to 5pm.

Directions: As you approach Lake Charles, LA, take the I-210 Loop south off of I-10. Exit onto Common Street heading south. Follow Common about 5 miles and Burton Coliseum will be on the left in the middle of the prairie.

For more information, call 337.477.4752 or visit www.visitlakecharles.org or www.cajunfrenchmusic.org.

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Photography © Syndey Byrd
Story © Julie Posner