SUPPORT LOUISIANA THIS WEEKEND...ATTEND MICHAEL ARNONE'S 21st CRAWFISH FESTIVAL IN NEW JERSEY (An hour from NYC) by Philip S. Kampe

This is the time of year we normally think of refreshing summer wines, like, Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand ( Oyster Bay) or Rieslings (I'm a fan of Dr. Konstantin Frank, Wagner or RedTailRidge..all from the Finger Lakes) or the numerous Roses from the South of France.

If you are a Louisiana person, like I am, this is the time of year you think of a cold beer with crawfish, crabs and shrimp. When you live in the east (NJ-Mass.), as I do, the memories of those summer days with true Louisiana food never leaves your mind.

Several years ago, as a member of Tulane University's Alumni Club (New York Chapter) , I attended MICHAEL ARNONE'S CRAWFISH FESTIVAL with sixty other alumni members. We met at the Cornell Club for breakfast and were whisked off on a PeterPan bus to the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta, New Jersey ( an hour from NYC).

We did not know what was in-store for us.

We saw vendors selling authentic New Orleans fare including boiled crawfish with corn and potatoes; sausage and chicken jambalaya; grilled alligator sausage; shrimp creole; red beans and rice; catfish; crawfish; shrimp couchon de lait; hot sausage po-boys; crawfish pie; crawfish bread; and crawfish ettoufee.

++The BP spill will have little to no impact on this year's festival, according to Naoma Welk, PR contact for the Crawfish Festival++

Besides food, Louisiana is known for music. Michael Arnone has put together key artists from all aspects of Louisiana music including Cajun; Zydeco; Delta Blues; Gospel; Brass; Jazz and New Orleans R&B. The musical guests include: Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience; The Iguanas (my favorite band); Jeffrey Broussard and the Creole Cowboys; Taj Mahal; The Dirty Dozen Brass Band; Marcia Ball; GALACTIC; Jesse Lege and Bayou Blue; Johnny Ace and Sidewalk Zydeco; Honey Island Swamp Band with Rosie Ledet; The Redstick Ramblers and numerous other bands.

For a complete schedule, visit http://www.crawfishfest.com/ The Crawfish Festival begins on Friday, June 4th and ends on Sunday, June 6th.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate.

The Sussex County Fairgrounds is located off of Interstate 80, exit 34B, in Augusta, New Jersey.
Parking for the festival is free. Camping is allowed and encouraged for the entire three day festival. On Friday night, all activities and music are only for campers.

Cajun dance lessons take place daily from 11am to noon.

SUPPORT LOUISIANA by attending this wonderful festival......

Look for me at the Dance Hall.....it's time to TWO-STEP!!

++Visit http://www.crawfishfest.com/ for all the information++

PHILIP S. KAMPE