Event Overview

The Movers and Shakers of the South is pleased to once again present the Original DownTown Lake Charles Crawfish Fest April 12-15, 2012, in downtown Lake Charles.  This official Louisiana Bicentennial event will be held in the Lake Charles Civic Center Exhibition Hall at 900 Lakeshore Drive. There are activities for everyone!

There will be over 10,000 pounds of boiled crawfish, the best music, food and fun at one of the largest indoor/outdoor Crawfish Festivals in Southwest Louisiana.  Featured artists are the Louisiana Scramble Band, Lawrence “Black” Ardoin and Tradition Creole, Damon Troy, Brandon Ledet, Chris Ardoin and Nu Step, Horace Trahan, Andre Thierry , and the 2011 Grammy Award winner Chubby Carrier, along with many others!

The “Family Nite at the Rides” commences the event on Thursday evening at 4pm on the Civic Center grounds. A Praise and Worship Experience, featuring the Arenos and Sean Ardoin, will begin at 5pm with performances in a free outdoor family concert.  The art enthusiast can enjoy the free “Art Walk at the Fest” that will be held on Friday with art displays and a reception along with a workshop on Crawfish Aquaculture Exploration. Friday festival gates open at 4pm with vendors and bands until 12 midnight. A downtown street parade rolls Saturday morning at 10am and will travel through the streets of downtown Lake Charles. The Crawfish Festival Royalty and the mayor of Lake Charles welcoming ceremonies will open the festivities on Saturday at 12 noon and music and food will be available until 12 midnight. On Sunday, April 15, the carnival will be open on the Civic Center grounds until 8pm.

There will also be seminars and workshops on the Louisiana Crawfish industry and aquaculture, and how it impacts the region, by Louisiana State University Ag Center. Conversation with the Greats, a Cajun and Zydeco music workshop, teaches the Louisiana connection to the accordion, the impact of Creole culture in today’s society, and how Louisiana was shaped by Creole traditional culture over the past 200 years of statehood. You can also learn how to Zydeco and Cajun dance from Louisiana Live Harold Guillory!

The DownTown Lake Charles Crawfish Festival Queen’s pageant will take place on March 31, 2012 at Central School Theatre. Several divisions are available for all ages from 0-100 years of age. Applications are available on www.excellencenyou.com or www.dtcrawfishfest.com.

Come out and bring the entire family for good fun and fellowship all weekend long.  Come on and get in on the action at the Lake Charles Civic Center for the Original DownTown Lake Charles Crawfish Fest!

You’ll be glad you didn’t miss the fun! Make sure to bring your lawn chairs and your appetite for fun and food.