By Tammee Greer

The Orange Leader

 

It is that time of year again.

It’s time for the Mauriceville Crawfish Bash, formerly known as the Mauriceville Crawfish Festival. All locals look forward to this fun annual event.

The Mauriceville Crawfish Bash will be held this year on Friday, April 27 and Saturday, April 28.

The bash kicks off on Friday with an opening ceremony, featuring the raising of the American Flag, the singing of our national anthem and everyone in attendance reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

The gate price for adults is $5. Students from kindergarten through high school get in free. In fact, on Saturday from 10 a.m. – Noon, everyone gets in free.

There will be live entertainment on both days of the event.

Dustin Kelley opens the Bash beginning at 5 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. followed by Bayou Rush from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

The performing bands on Saturday, in order of appearance, include the Country OutKasts from 10 a.m. – Noon, Dustin Kelley from 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Donice Morace from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. and Dustin Sonnier and The Wanted wrap it up from 9 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Saturday is ‘All You Can Eat’ Crawfish from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. or while supplies last. Tickets for the AYCE Crawfish can be purchased in advance for $30. However, tickets are $35 at the gate.

Who will be supplying all the crawfish for everyone’s tummies? There is a huge Crawfish Cook-off! More than 30 teams have already signed up to compete in the cook-off.

Crawfish will be judged by the “peel and taste” method, how do they peel and how do they taste? Advance tickets for AYCE Crawfish can be purchased and any additional teams who wish to enter the cook-off can do so online at CRAWFISHFEST.ORG.

Let’s not forget about the carnival being open at the same time the bash is happening. The Carnival will be open from Thursday, April 26- Sunday, April 29. The hours for the Carnival are as follows: Thursday and Friday from 5 p.m. – 11 p.m., on Saturday from 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Carnival rides take three to five tickets to ride. Individual tickets are $1 each or wristbands can be purchased for $20. Wristbands must be purchased each day or a mega pass, the best economical option, can be purchased for $40 for unlimited ride access all four days of the Carnival.

The carnival and Mauriceville Bash is located at 7441 Cohenour Road in Mauriceville. Many people from this area who have attended in the past remember it takes place on Highway 62 behind the Mauriceville Volunteer Fire Department.

For more information call (409) 659-3998 or go to the website mauricevillecrawfishfest.org.