Crawdad Festival debuts

Sounds from the south are part of the first Crawdad Festival in Colusa this Saturday, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, Our Lady of Lourdes Council 2145, Colusa.

Set from 1 to 10 p.m. at the Colusa County Fairgrounds on 10th Street, the event includes live bands performing blues, zydeco and Cajun music.

Appearing are Andrew Carrier and the Cajun All Stars. Zydeco includes a washboard, accordion and a fiddle.

“It's a different venue” for a crawdad festival, said Dan Holbrook, Knights Council member. “We think it will draw.”

Tickets are $10 each, with children 12 years and under admitted free of charge. Money raised will benefit Our Lady of Lourdes School in Colusa which has classes from preschool through eighth grade.

The menu includes crawfish etouffee, a stew with spices served over rice, Louisiana hot sausage, red beans and rice and crawdads, as well as hot dogs, soft drinks and snow cones.

A crew of Knights will cook the feast, with recipes contributed by Louisiana native Henry Royal Sr., now of Colusa .

“Henry assures me these are family recipes,” Holbrook said with a laugh.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at Sankey Automotive, Our Lady of Lourdes School and Pacific Travel in Colusa and at Louis Cairo's in Williams. Tickets will also be available at the door.

The Crawdad Festival is one of many fundraising events coordinated by the Knights of Columbus Council 2145 for local projects. Past activities have included the Tootsie Roll fundraiser for the mentally handicapped, a crab feed and spaghetti dinners.

Appeal-Democrat reporter Leticia Gutierrez can be reached at 749-4722. You may e-mail her at lgutierrez@appeal-democrat.com