SPEND THE DAYS BETWEEN JAZZ FEST WEEKENDS EATING THE BEST BOILED CRAWFISH AND LISTENING TO LIVE MUSIC IN MID-CITY NEW ORLEANS THIS MAY
Crawfish boils are a centuries-old tradition kept alive by the practices Louisiana natives set in place long ago. The Houma Tribe was the first to hunt for crawfish and include them in their cuisine. In the 1700s, the Acadians, or Cajuns, started eating crawfish due to the meal’s accessibility and affordability. It wasn’t long until the diverse flavors of the South made it into the recipe. What was once a meal vital to survival has become a flavorful backyard celebration for family and friends, and the NOLA Crawfish Festival is a fantastic thing to do while on a staycation.
About NOLA Crawfish Festival
One festival has honored the tradition of crawfish boils for over seven years. During the days between Jazz Fest weekends one and two, NOLA Crawfish Festival hosts a three-day crawfish feast. This year the festival will occur from May 1 to May 3 between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. at The Broadside in Mid-City. Single-day, three-day, and VIP tickets are available on the event’s website.
Festival producer and Crawfish King Chris “Shaggy” Davis will boil over a hundred pounds of crawfish for the event. He says, “We take that backyard boil feel that everyone loves but bring some big-name talent and give you the smells, sounds, and feels that New Orleanians enjoy about this time of the year, all in an intimate environment.”
All the Things to Experience at NOLA Crawfish Festival
In addition to its massive boil, the festival will host local musicians and artists, a cook-off competition, and a crawfish eating contest. Each festival day holds different events, vendors, and live performances for all to indulge in.
Monday, May 1
Festival goers can soak up the comforting sound of local musicians every day of the festival. Headliner PBS (Porter, Batiste, and Stoltz) will close the festival on Monday. The supporting acts include Tony Hall and Friends, Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph, The Rumble, Chief Joseph Boudreaux, and Luther Dickinson.
NOLA Crawfish Festival will host its annual Crawfish Eatin’ Competition. Competitors gather around a large table yearly to find out who can eat the most crawfish. The winner usually receives a cash prize and the right to brag about their triumph.
Tuesday, May 2
Blues guitarist Sonny Landreth and Cajun band Lost Bayou Ramblers will top off the evening on Tuesday. Deltaphonic and Luther Dickinson will warm up the crowd with blues and funk riffs.
NOLA Crawfish Festival’s Ultimate Crawfish Cook-off will occur throughout the evening. Local celebrities will judge 20 teams based on flavor, fixings, and spice level.
Wednesday, May 3
Local music legends Anders Osborne, George Porter, Jr., Ivan Neville, and Stanton Moore will entertain guests with a jam session to end the festival. Attendees can also enjoy intimate performances from Marco Benevento, Eric Krasno, Terence Higgins’ Gator Blaq, Keiko Kamaki, Cass Faulconer, Eric Johanson, Jonathan “Boogie” Long, Luther Dickinson, and
Chris Mule and Friends.
Have a Staycation at Maison Dupuy
One of the best ways to experience a staycation in New Orleans is by staying at a hotel in the middle of it all. Maison Dupuy resides right in the heart of the French Quarter. Make a reservation at Maison Dupuy today.