Southwest Cajun Fest brings Louisiana flavor to Chandler Park
Apr 20, 2018, 11:06 AM
(Facebook Photo/Southwest Cajun Fest)
PHOENIX – Ready to taste the heart and soul of New Orleans? The Southwest Cajun Fest returns to downtown Chandler on Saturday, bringing with it an authentic taste of Louisiana.
The event will take place from noon to 9 p.m. at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park near Chandler Boulevard and Arizona Avenue, providing patrons with an afternoon full of southern sizzle in celebration of Cajun culture.
“All the vendors for this event really bring it,” Jen Pruett, a spokeswoman for the festival organizer HDE Agency, told the East Valley Tribune on Thursday. “They bring out their best Southern Cajun-style food.”
The fest will feature a variety of southern-style dishes, including a crawfish boil, jambalaya, fried gator, catfish, etouffe, lobster rolls, creole shrimp, hush puppies, red beans & rice, and more.
Along with the cuisine, the family-friendly event will feature live entertainment from San Diego-based blues band, Little Hurricane, and The Urban Renewal Project — a group of 15 millennial musicians offering a modern funk, soulful jazz and hip-hop from Los Angeles.
Additional bands such as Southern Drawl Band, Funkhaus Brass Band and The Hoodoo Casters will also perform.
And for those craving a side of competition, three eating competitions will be held throughout the day.
Tickets for the event can be purchased online and range from $10 for general admission to $125 for VIP — which includes a variety of amenities and perks including six alcoholic beverages, catered food and more.
A portion of the proceeds from the Southwest Cajun Fest will go towards the nonprofit Downtown Chandler Community Foundation.