Thursday, March 23, 2023 – (Jupiter, FL) – The 5thAnnual Cajun Crawfish & Music Festival, sponsored by Good Greek Moving & Storage, returns to Abacoa on Saturday from 10 am – 10 pmand Sunday from 10 am-8 pm. This premier Cajun Crawfish and Music Festival will celebrate the culture and traditions of Louisiana through food, music, and dance! Virginia Sinicki from The KVJ Show will serve as the Master of Ceremonies throughout the weekend and bring her personal flair as a local who grew up in New Orleans.
The streets of Abacoa will be filled with Mardi Gras-themed decorations and banners, with lots of purple, green, and gold. You will be transported to Bourbon Street when you arrive as the aroma of the Cajun food will be in the air. Come get a taste of “N’awlins” with authentic Cajun food featuring a crawfish boil, jambalaya, gumbo, po’boys, Crawfish Monica, muffulettas, red beans and rice, and the famous beignets, and more. There will be a crawfish eating contest again this year on Saturday at 1 pm.
Experience free cooking demonstrations featuring local chefs as they create their personal Cajun food and specialty drinks. Enjoy the Bourbon Street atmosphere with all the classic cocktails such as Hurricanes, Grenades, and a champagne hurricane. Atoll Vodka will be giving away samples throughout the festival.
Headlining the two-day festival is the 2022 winner-Jazz Fest, a New Orleans Story Grammy Winner for Best Music Film 2022, and 2018 two-time Grammy nominee Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers. Dwayne Dopsie grew up in Lafayette, Louisiana, and he will be performing Saturday at 8 pm. Dwayne taught himself how to play the accordion by watching videos of his father and Clifton Chenier. The knowledge of Dwayne’s musical ability, along with his zydeco Hellraisers band members, have over 100 years of combined experience playing Zydeco music, and it shows in every performance. The energy and true talent that Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers emit from the stage makes it obvious that there is no competition for this band.
Adding to the lineup: Performing Saturday: Snack Pack (from KVJ Show) at 4 pm, The Rockin’ Jake Band at 6 pm. Performing Sunday: new this year, Black Water Sound- a local Southern Rock Band at noon, folk rock band Hot Sauce Moon at 1 pm, the return of The Porch Dogs at 3:30 pm, and local favorite, Making Faces with a Mardi Gras themed show to end the fun weekend.
Two amazing charities will be on site all weekend at The Cajun Crawfish and Music Festival. First, we have Maddie’s Fight foundation. They are incredible at helping families dealing with childhood cancer. Second, our beloved Little Smiles helps children going through a personal or medical crisis. Visit their booths to learn more about these children’s charities. They will be on-site, creating awareness of their cause and raising money.
“This festival is the best of what New Orleans is famous for amazing food, incredible live music, and the most delicious party libations on earth. I love helping Jerry Somma host this party every year! (Nobody knows how to host a party like a crazy girl from New Orleans!) Jerry and I love that we can give back to amazing charities like Little Smiles and Maddie‘s fight foundation. There’s no party like a party with a purpose!” said Virginia Sinicki, Master of Ceremonies.
Experience Louisiana in style; reserve a stage pod with four seats and a table or a private VIP Chalets with eight seats and a table under a tent, including waiter/waitress service. These are available for purchase on Eventbrite. Children ages twelve and younger get in for free. General lawn seating will also be available for those who would like to bring their own chair/blanket to enjoy the all-day entertainment.
About Little Smiles:
This fun-filled cultural event benefits Little Smiles. Little Smiles is a volunteer-driven, non-profit 501(c)3 children’s charity. Their mission is to help heal hearts and create little smiles by providing gifts and fun activities to children impacted by serious illness, homelessness, or tragedy. With the guidance of local professionals such as doctors, nurses, child life specialists, and social workers, they strive to help kids escape their unfortunate circumstances, even if only for a brief period of time. For more information, visit www.littlesmilesfl.org.
About Maddie’s Fight Foundation:
Founded in 2017, Maddie’s Fight Foundation is a fully licensed 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing financial assistance to families of children with cancer and to supporting research for Osteosarcoma treatment. Visit www.maddiesfight.org.
Calendar Listing:
The 5th Annual Cajun Crawfish & Music Festival (benefiting Little Smiles and Maddie’s Fight Foundation) is Saturday, April 22, from 10 am – 10 pm and Sunday, April 23, from 10 am – 8 pm at Abacoa Amphitheater in Jupiter. The event is $5, and children 12 and under are free. VIP stage pod seating and Creole Cottages are available. The event will be filled with authentic Cajun food featuring a crawfish boil, jambalaya, gumbo, shrimp po’boys, and live New Orleans and Cajun zydeco music. For more information, visit cajuncrawfishmusicfestival.com.