Local Expert
Marael Johnson
Award-winning travel writer Marael Johnson has written for many prominent print and online publishers on areas as diverse as Outback Australia, Europe's Basque region, Louisiana's Cajun country, and…
Award-winning travel writer Marael Johnson has written for many prominent print and online publishers on areas as diverse as Outback Australia, Europe's Basque region, Louisiana's Cajun country, and remote South Pacific islands. She grew up in Los Angeles and resides in Southern California.
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Long Beach Crusted with Crawfish and Zydeco
This weekend, 2-3 August, Long Beach hosts its 15th annual Crawfish Festival (www.longbeachcrawfishfestival.com). Held at Rainbow Lagoon, near the harbor and the most popular city attractions, the festival attracts thousands of visitors with its fabulous food and entertainment options. Billed as the largest crawfish festival outside of Louisiana (how many are there, one wonders?), the event showcases tons of fresh crawfish along with other authentic Cajun cuisine. If crawfish isn't your favorite, there's a food court with Jamaican, Chinese, Thai, chicken and ribs, and other international fare. Adults can imbibe beer, wine, Margaritas, and other kickback-and-relax drinksAnd, of course, no respectable Louisiana-style function would be complete without the sound of music and the stomp of dancin' feet. Presented on two stages are rotating bands that include not only feel-good Cajun and Zydeco music, but also pulsating Afro-Brazilian and "French Rockin' Boogie" beats. Festival-goers groove on a dance floor, and dance instructions are offered regularly throughout the event. You can even join a congo line. For younger members of the family, a children's area provides magical acts, storytellers, and bounce-around inflatable devices. On Sunday night, get a spot by the main stage for a special performance by three of this year's Cajun Zydeco Grammy Awards nominees.