Lots of parties shimmy through Southern California each year, but it is hard to find one where people are beaming quite as much as they are at the annual Crawfish Festival in Long Beach.
Yes, we said beaming, not smiling. But why wouldn't they be? Participants are likely wearing a funny-cute hat. They're likely kicking up their heels and various other bits to accordions and Louisiana-style shimmy sounds. And they're probably eating from a bucket, which has to be one of the three best vehicles for delivering tasty food to a diner.
And the thing being delivered? Crawfish, of course, and corn on the cob, and dipping sauce, and other yummy things. Bristol Farms is behind the 2011 food at the Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31 festival, and Step Rideau and the Zydeco Outlaws are one of the bands behind the dancing tunes.
Know here that the Crawfish Festival always sells out, so getting on tickets is key. You can forgo the crawfish feasting and just get a ticket so you can dance the day away.
