This Sunday the Rajun Cajun Crawfish festival returns for its 23rd year and all the proceeds will benefit Porter-Leath. The Porter-Leath foundation is the primary resource for families in lesser than desirable life situations. They strive to help these families and children to pick up the pieces and give them the tools to make their lives better.
“All the proceeds will go to our kids,” Rob Hughes, Development Manager for Porter-Leath, said. “The proceeds will benefit all five of our programs and especially help our kids in preschool from age five. It’ll be a great event to help all these kids.”
There will be a live performance from the Bayou Boys, a band from the Louisiana area with musical roots from folk to blues, and truckloads of crawfish for everyone that attends. Buckets of crawfish start at $20 and offer some of the spiciest and messiest finger-food.
Hughes also added that a new addition to the crawfish festival, the beer garden, will make its grand opening for a beer tasting and have many different types of beers and ales available. Blue Moon, Ghost River and other brews are available for an entry fee of $20.
This year, the Crawfish Festival will be adding a new item, spicy boiled shrimp, which is supposed to be an easier alternative for those that confused on how to consume crawfish.
“I first had crawfish at the crawfish festival,” Michael Robins, 24, said. “It was a bit difficult to eat at first not to mention messy and hot, but I got it down.”
Robins continued to express his excitement that shrimp will be added to the festivals menu.
There are also VIP tickets for sale, since entry into the festival is free. The Swamp VIP packages start at $100 per person and $175 per couple. The tickets include all you can eat crawfish, Cajun snacks, beer, soft drinks and a seat under the VIP tent. There are also private tents for groups of people that begin at $175 and will seat up to eight people. These tables also include 24 beer tickets, a complimentary CD from the Bayou Boys and balcony view of the performance of the Bayou Boys.
“My group of friends and I always get a table,” Timothy Spears, 31, said. “Those beer coupons definitely come in handy, and it’s always nice to have unlimited crawfish in a great atmosphere.”
For those that can’t afford the private tents or VIP packages, one can always bring portable chairs and find a spot on Riverside Drive to enjoy the scenery of the river and great food.
The Rajun Cajun Crawfish festival is a fantastic event that not only has spicy eatables, but also supports a wonderful cause that puts together funds for Memphis children and families. The crawfish festival will be held at Wagner Place and Riverside Drive between Union and Beale, and will feature great music, food and fun experiences that will last a lifetime.
