Cajun Music and Food Festival introduces inaugural accordion contest

Get ready to two-step. The 37th annual Cajun Music and Food Festival is returning this Saturday, July 20.

Everyone’s favorite authentic Cajun dishes will be served, and music will be bumping until 10 p.m.

For decades, the indoor festival has been hosted at the Burton Complex, 7001 Gulf Hwy, in South Lake Charles to keep Cajun culture alive.

Renee Daigle said preserving Cajun culture and customs is more important now than ever, especially to reach Southwest Louisiana youth.

“The Cajun culture is slowly dying in this area, so we’re working really hard to try to continue promoting the music, the food, the culture,” she explained. “It’s really important that we try to get the younger generation involved. … They like the music, they like the culture, but we have to continue to share it if it is going to thrive in this area.”

This year, the festival is introducing the inaugural accordion contest. Daigle said that accordion competitions were hosted about 15 years ago, but this competition is a fresh start. She believes the contest will help connect with younger generations with their roots.

“We’re hoping to entice these young musicians to come out.”

Competitors will take the stage from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

The contest will have three age divisions.

The winners of each age group will receive a trophy and cash prize; Over $1,500 in cash prizes will be awarded. There is no entry fee.

The Cajun Music and Food Festival will serve Cajun foods like shrimp etouffee, jambalaya, chicken and sausage gumbo, fried catfish, cracklins, and boudain.

Hamburgers, nachos and “plenty of sweets” will also be served.

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Band lineup

Traditional Cajun bands will perform throughout the day following the accordion contest:

Noon to 2 p.m.: Jackie Caillier, Ivy Dugas and Cajun Cousins

2 to 4 p.m.: Chris Miller and Bayou Roots

4 to 6 p.m.: John Dale Hebert and Friends

6 to 8 p.m.: Ray Thibodeaux and Cajun Friends with Jason Frey on accordion

8 to 10 p.m.: Kevin Naquin and Cajun Preservation

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The festival will feature 35 vendor booths, featuring products like hand-sewn and crochet items.

A Kids Zone with arts and crafts and five-dollar meals will be set up.

Entry to the Cajun Music and Food Festival is $10 per person. Children 12 and under get in free.

At 9 a.m. Sunday, a Cajun Mass will be held at the Cajun French Music Association building, 3481 E. Prien Lake Rd. The service will be conducted in French and will be led by Reverend Roland G. Vaughn. A coffee and donut social will follow.