Good times set to roll at the Cajun Fest

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ariel D. Partlow
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE, Texas --  The Cajun Fest and street fair is slated to return to Laughlin May 12 from 5 p.m. to midnight and is being held outside Club XL.

The event, hosted by the 47th Force Support Squadron, is a celebration of the diverse Cajun foods and traditions, along with a street fair with a variety of vendors.

"Events like these build morale, camaraderie and diversity for the base, allowing patrons of all ages an opportunity to hear new music and taste foods from a different region or time," said Bruce Hiott, 47th FSS Laughlin Club Operations general manager and Cajun Fest event coordinator.

Participation in the event extends beyond patrons expanding their experiences in a new culture.

"All money earned goes directly into the Morale, Wellness and Recreation fund, which in turn benefits all FSS activities, to include the pool, Child Development Center, youth center, the Club and more," said Hiott. "That's why club event participation such as the Cajun Fest is so important; the added income helps us offer more to our Airmen than what could normally be offered by the non-appropriated fund and appropriated fund."

Cajun Fest will have live music, food and drinks with tickets to the event costing $15 for club members and $17 for non-members. Children 5 years or younger are free. Tickets purchased after May 15 will cost $20. Participants who purchases tickets early have the exclusive opportunity to win an ASUS T100 Notebook PC.

Throughout the event, participants will have the opportunity to win various prizes, including, a Threshold Outdoor Steel Fire Pit, a Cuisinart 8-bottle wine refrigerator, a Nikon camera and more.

"Stevie Mac's Dance Machine," a DJ out of San Antonio, will be performing, and he plays a wide array of music, including some Zydeco to fit our current venue, explained Hiott. Zydeco is a musical genre from the southwestern region of Louisiana which blends a variety of music styles. The band headlining the event is Code Bluez, a band from Austin, Texas.

Some foods to expect are shrimp po boys, alligator on a stick, shrimp and sausage Gumbo, fried catfish and the New Orleans classic muffuletta sandwich. Those not feeling so adventurous have the options of Louisiana pulled pork sandwich, sausage on a stick or an old fashioned hot dog.

For more information or to volunteer for the event, call 298-5134 or email Bruce Hiott at bruce.hiott.1@us.af.mil.