Description

CRAWFISH FESTIVAL HISTORY

The world famous Crawfish Festival began in 1960 as a spin-off of the Breaux Bridge Centennial Celebration. The Louisiana Legislature had just named Breaux Bridge the Crawfish Capital of the World in 1959. The festival is now known around the country and even the world. Every May, thousands of hungry people flock to Breaux Bridge to be part of the festivities.
The Crawfish Festival has also become one of the largest gatherings of world famous Cajun musicians. All weekend long you can hear the sound of authentic Cajun, Zydeco and Swamp Pop music rising from the festival. Whether your musical taste is Cajun or Creole, you can witness over 30 bands perform over the three day event if you think you have the stamina. It’s a perfect opportunity to see our musical tradition passed from generation to generation. Watch the Cajun dance contests, and if you’re brave, join in. There’s no better way to learn. There are even Cajun music workshops held in the heritage tent.

If Cajun or Creole music excites you, there’s no better place to experience it than at the Crawfish Festival!

CRAWFISH FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION

The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival Association is a volunteer organization with a Board of Directors who oversee the annual festival. Their mission is to promote the crawfish industry in Louisiana and the culture of Cajun Country.

The BBCFA has up-to-date contributed $1,300,000 to civic organizations and city improvements. Yearly, we allocate mini grants funds to the local Breaux Bridge Schools and provide Scholarships to the local high schools as well as our Past Queen’s Scholarship. Besides monetary contributions, the BBCFA Board of Directors gladly volunteer their time as well to these many functions.

The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival is a past multiple recipient of the LAFF Festival of the Year Division II as well as receiving numerous awards in marketing (poster, tshirt, brochure, pin). The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival has also been named a Top 20 Event by the STS Society. CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, The Food Channel, PBS and numerous other individual filmmakers have all done documentaries on our festival. We have been featured in Maxim Magazine, Southern Living, National Geographic, The New York Times, Country Cooking, Motorhome Living, and Better Homes and Garden publications. The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival was named a top 10 Food Festival by USA Today.

Admission

Friday May 3, 2019 – $5.00
Saturday May 4, 2019 – $10.00
Sunday May 5, 2019 – $5.00
Advance 3-Day Pass – $15.00 (Available the week of the festival at the festival office or the festival grounds and will not sell out of passes)

Music
The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival has become one of the largest gatherings of world famous Cajun, Zydeco and Swamp Pop musicians and plays host to over 30 bands on three stages during the three-day festival.  Music fills the air from morning into night at Parc Hardy!

Breaux Bridge Heritage Tent
Cajun and Zydeco music, along with accordion making, Cajun dance & cooking demonstrations are showcased here. We also highlight aspects of our unique culture such as Bourrée, a traditional Cajun card game.

Cuisine
Nothing is as unique to Cajuns as eating crawfish during festival weekend.  You’ll enjoy tasting crawfish prepared in every imaginable way—fried, boiled, in an étouffée, bisque, boudin, pie or jambalaya, and crawdogs, along with other Cajun favorites (shrimp, crab, gumbo, red beans and rice, just to name a few).

Crawfish Races
As the Crawfish Race Commissioner yells “ils sont partis”, our world famous race of the crawfish begins!  Numbered crawfish race to the finish line with skillful aid from their registered owners on an eight-foot circular target.  This race is open to all and a joy to watch.

Cajun & Zydeco Dance Contests
Put on your dancing shoes and two-step or Cajun waltz to traditional Cajun and Zydeco Music.  The most talented will win gift packages as their prizes.  This event is a must for those who want to learn a few new steps.

Crawfish Etouffée Cook-Off
This epicurean event features cooking teams who vie for the title of Cook-off Champion.  Truly a gourmet’s delight, this contest is also noted for showmanship displayed by the contestants.  Samples are available once the judging is complete.

Arts, Crafts & Specialty Items
Stroll your way through rows of unique items – handcrafted and novelty – as artists, craftsmen and vendors display their wares for your shopping enjoyment. Official Crawfish memorabilia are also available at the Information Booth.

Carnival Midway
Enjoy rides and games for all ages at the carnival, located inside a fenced area of the festival grounds at Parc Hardy behind the food pavilion.

Crawfish Eating Contest
This contest is measured by the weight of boiled crawfish consumed within forty-five minutes.  Contestants must display dexterity in obtaining the meat from the crawfish as well as a healthy appetite.  The Crawfish Eating Contest is held in the Heritage Tent and is open to the public.

Parade
The parade honors our Crawfish Queen who rules over our festivities along with her King, Junior Royalty and Ecrevettes.  You will also enjoy sights of Cajun family bands, marching bands and festive floats.

Parking
Car parking is available in the rear of the Festival Grounds for $5.00 per day. Self-contained camping is available for $75 for the weekend (Friday to Sunday). Handicapped parking is available near the entrance of the festival grounds.

Crawfish Festival Ordinance, as set forth by the City of Breaux Bridge, prohibit bringing in the following items on the festival grounds:

– Alcohol of any kind
– Glass containers
– Coolers (large or small)
– Frisbees or water projecting devices
– Animals (only eye seeing allowed).
– Knives or weapons of any kind
– No Wagons

There is also an open container law in effect for the City of Breaux Bridge.