The 42nd Annual SWEPCO Mudbug Madness Festival will be back in Shreveport this Memorial Day weekend, featuring music, food and fun for everyone.
Mudbug Madness, held for three days every Memorial Day weekend, is one of Louisiana’s largest and most popular Cajun festivals, featuring country, pop, blues and the very best in zydeco music, according to the website.
Held from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. May 22-24, the festival will also feature special events like the Celebrity Crawfish Eating Contest featuring local personalities and VIPs, as well as Men’s and Women’s Crawfish Eating contests and a Crawfish Calling Contest, according to a news release from Mudbug Madness.
This year’s Celebrity Crawfish Eating Contest will be a Charity Challenge where the winner will earn a $500 donation for the charity of their choice.
There will also be two performing stages, a Kids on the Bayou stage with activities, artisan booths, food vendors, souvenirs, a Latin night, cold beverages and of course, plenty of boiled crawfish, according to the news release.
The Delta Utilities Stage presented by NBC 6 and Townsquare Media will feature country recording artists, Stoney LaRue and Casey Donahew; Zydeco sensations Dwayne Dopsie and Terrance Simien; and the Chee Weez. Other performers on that stage include: Acadien Cajun Band, Hunter Courville, Codey Cooke & the Bayou Outlaws, Showdown, LaRecolte and the Bernie Alan Band.
The FOX 33 Swamp Stage, presented by Cumulus Radio, will feature local, regional and national acts, including Flow Tribe, Caravan, Ally Venable, Bad Habit, Kinfolk Band, Chase Tyler and many others.
Latin Night is returning to this year’s festival and will be on the Swamp Stage on Sunday, May 24, from 8 to 10 p.m. Presented by 318 Latino, featuring Amanda Solis with the nationally recognized Ultimate Selena Experience.
Kids on the Bayou will feature magicians, dancers, music, hands-on activities, inflatables and a Bungee Jump. Returning this year is Dallas the Fire Guy from New Orleans with his tricks, juggling and fire-stunts.
According to a news release, there will be $5 lunch specials and $3 happy hour drinks from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Shiner Bock Beer Garden will also have bar tables and yard games, and a second green space has been added to The Swamp with picnic tables and additional games.
‘We are very excited to bring Mudbug Madness #42 to the community,” Executive Director Terri Mathews said. “In addition to exceptional music and food, every inch of the festival site will be full of exciting vendors and programming, including interactive sponsor booths, tasting booths, a beer garden, green space, special events & contests, and fun! Mudbug Madness touches all of one’s senses. The sights, sounds and smells will be the perfect kick-off to summertime.”
On Friday, admission is free until 5 p.m., and after that, admission is $10 for the remainder of the festival. Military personnel and children under 12 also get free admission.
A three-day pass will be available at the gate for $15.
Schedule of events:
Friday, May 22, the Celebrity Crawfish Eating Contest will be at 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, May 23, the Men’s Crawfish Eating Contest will be at 1 p.m.
Saturday, May 23, the Crawfish Calling Contest will be at 4:45 p.m.
Sunday, May 24, the Women’s Crawfish Eating Contest will be at 1:30 p.m.
