Having to type this for Karen, because her membership ran out. Until it renews, she can't post anything.
Dear Journal,
Johnathon Sandusky reporting live and on scene at one of the wildest weekends known to mankind!
I'm at the Crawfish Festival, held every first or second weekend in May, in tiny Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. So far, the family and myself have had a wonderful time. We've listened to Cajun music, eaten enough Cajun food 'til our bellies threatened to pop, and (for the ones who can) danced until our feet fell off.
The Crawfish Festival has been held every year since 1959; Mama has been going ever since she was a little girl (she was born in Breaux Bridge). She's missed a few years, but not many. And now, we, her children, are learning how much fun it really is when 25,000 plus people converge on a town of 4,000 people! Wheeeeeeeee! LOL
All the hotels from Lafayette to nearly Baton Rouge are booked solid. We've already made our reservations for NEXT year, at the Red Roof Inn in Lafayette: closest we could get. Lafayette is around 15 minutes away from Breaux Bridge.
The weather is typical Louisiana: hot and humid. Partly cloudy, with a slight chance of some storms, but most of the bad stuff is expected to remain well north of the area. Right now, the sun has just set; off to the north, you can see an occastional flash of lightning. No thunder, though: too far away. Hope it stays away!
The Heritage Stage/Pavillion is rocking with good Cajun music; Beausoleil is rocking the place! Ronee' and her band, "Cajun Spice," opened earlier before Hunter Hayes. They did real good: really had the place hopping! Hunter came on and kicked things up a notch (BAM!), and then it was my turn.
And then the star of the Festival: me. NOT!! LOL
I played a few songs on the accordion before Belton Richard came out; couldn't sing, voice not strong enough yet. The crowd seemed to like it, even though I remember hitting a few wrong notes.
Belton came on, and had me sit in with his band; I think I played along on one song: most of the time, I just sat there, in awe of the legend before me.
Daddy is sunburnt. He looks like a matchstick that's been lit! Black hair, red face and long skinny body...LOL I put on a hat, wore a light weight, long sleeve shirt and jeans, so I didn't get it. Well, okay, a bit of sun on the nose, but not as bad as I've been in the past!
People are dancing in front of the stage, twisting themselves into pretzels, Mama and Michael included. Mama's such a good dancer: Michael's the pretzel. LOL I don't know how some of the people do some of the moves they do!
Tomorrow is Mother's Day; we're going to spend it here at the Festival. After it closes at six, we'll leave for the hotel, pack up and probably go out for an American style meal to cool our tongues, and then go to bed.
Leaving first thing Monday morning, back to Nashville. Should be there by late afternoon. School, Tuesday. UGH. LOL
Well, I know this is short, but Mama is waving me over to join them to watch Beausoleil. Wanted to get this in, and now I'm gonna do what Mama wants: when Mama ain't happy, ain't NOBODY happy! LOL
Was wondering where you went, Karen. My life membership mean they can't cut me off. Have been trying to take a swing, spring or fall, through cajan country through Galveston and Bolivar, and then north to Shreveport and home.
Guess we should avoid the festival tho it sure sounds like fun. Those days of dropping in are gone when I need a special hotel room to stop driving. Thanks for reminding me when I could and did.
This is charming and humorous. I once went to a crawfish party an oilfield company in the Southwest gave. I did a lifestyle cooking page on crawfish cooking. I tried some crawfish too and this white Wisconsin girl BURNED her mouth off. Delightful read.
It was fun to be involved in the Cajun festival through this story, Karla. I used to have a small group of Cajun friends who came to Kansas from Louisiana to study veterinary medicine. So, this brought back old memories, too....Jerry
Enjoyed it. Sounds like lots of fun each year. I wish I'd go there too with you. Love the South and it's cajun foods too. Sounds like the ideal vacation for me someday. Do get to Georgia once in a while, love those Georgia Peaches. Peach season here in PA now, must get some. Nice of your sister to post this for you, but I did read some of your stories today on your site.
Great story. Love the cultural information in this tale. Are the Cajuns as crazy as they say? Oops is that a negative comment. I do not mean to offend. I'm just curious. Liz
Looks like the festival is finally coming to an end, but a good time was had my all. I don't know when you uploaded this, as Bonnie said, I'm glad you could. I stil can't, so I guess this site is having attitude still...lol
This is sooooo confusing - not your story, it's excellent!! You writing under me, me reviewing under you - I think that's it - like I said, sooooo confused!! LOL I hope someone sponsors you soon - Lord knows I wish I could. :(
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.
Again, your story is excellent - it entices the reader to want to experience this "madness" for themselves - at least once! We've done that - and it was fun, fun, FUN!
Exploring the impact of literary icon Flannery O'Connor's noted legacy on the cultural realities of modern-day America, the world, and a certain author.
Exploring the impact of literary icon Flannery O'Connor's noted legacy on the cultural realities of modern-day America, the world, and a certain author.
