Festivals celebrate Cajun culture, music and food

Throughout the year, the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana area is cooking up pots of gumbo, boiling crawfish and crabs, and topping off big plate lunches with pecan pie. But in the summer months, the Cajun in us really comes out as we celebrate during the Cajun Music and Food Festival and the Marshland Festival. During these virtually back-to-back festivals, the spice of Cajun food lingers in the air around Burton Coliseum and the Lake Charles Civic Center, and the sounds of accordions, guitars and intriguing Cajun French lyrics prompt people to start doing the Cajun two-step.

For nearly a quarter of a century, the Cajun Music & Food Festival has sought to preserve Cajun heritage and tradition through food, music and dancing showcased by local musicians and chefs. Get your fill of traditional Cajun specialties such as gumbo, jambalaya and étouffée. Try some spicy alligator or cracklins, and you won't regret it! The 2011 Cajun Music & Food Festival will be held July 16–17, 2011, at the Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles. In addition to live music, a raffle and kids activities, there will also be professional and amateur accordion contests and Cajun dance contests. 

Put on your wading shoes for the Marshland Festival – well, it’s not really in the marsh! At the Lake Charles Civic Center July 29–30, 2011, the Marshland Festival bursts with hot Cajun, zydeco, swamp pop and country bands as well as a business expo, arts and crafts, and activities for the kids. Oh yeah, and food! Southwest Louisiana is known for flavorful fare and hot music, and this festival will give you a taste of both.

For more information on food and festivals in Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana, contact the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-456-7952 or visit us online at www.visitlakecharles.org.