Gator By the Bay Zydeco, Blues and Crawfish Festival Returns
Three Days of Music, Cajun Food, and Family Fun at Spanish Landing
The biggest Zydeco and Cajun festival on the West Coast, Gator By the Bay Zydeco, Blues and Crawfish Festival returns to Spanish Landing Park (across from the airport) 3:30 to 10:30 pm, Friday, May 11; and 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, May 12 and 13, for an 11th year of bringing the rich and unique culture of Louisiana to San Diego.
Presented in part by the Louisiana Office of Tourism, this spirited three-day music and food festival features an impressive variety of music and entertainment. A special Friday-night event, “Gator by Night,” features a Blues Supper Club atmosphere around the Bourbon Street stage, with Louisiana cuisine for dinner and dancing to top Zydeco and Blues bands.
The Gator By the Bay festival creates a rich cultural experience with zesty Zydeco, Cajun, Blues, Jazz, Country, and Swing bands; authentic Creole food; dancing and dance lessons; costumed New Orleans-style daily parades; and lots of kids’ activities.
Theo and Zydeco Patrol perform during the weekend.
Nationally known Cajun and Zydeco bands, Blues/Swing/Country performers, and some of the finest San Diego bands will rock the boards on multiple stages. Headliners include Grammy Award winner Chubby Carrier, Commander Cody with Johnny Vernazza, Grammy Award-nominated Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys.
Gator By the Bay features the authentic tastes of Louisiana, with many vendors making the cross-country trip especially for the festival. You’ll find more than 8,000 pounds of live crawfish boiled up with corn and potatoes throughout the weekend, plus boudin sausage, catfish, barbecue, crawfish etouffe, Po’ Boy sandwiches, seafood gumbo, jambalaya, beignets, boiled peanuts, sweet potato pie, and homemade ice cream. For the first time, the festival offers fresh raw oysters on all three days.
For a complete lineup with bios and schedule, visit www.gatorbythebay.com.
Category: Entertainment
