Get ready for crawfish and music

20th annual Crawfish Fest comes to Sussex County Fairgrounds May 29 to 31 AUGUSTA — Michael Arnone’s 20th annual Crawfish Fest, to be held May 29 to 31 at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta, will feature performances by award-winning Louisiana musicians, including several headline acts from the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Event organizers said Crawfish Fest is considered “the single most important Louisiana and New Orleans-style music, food and camping festival north of the Mason Dixon line.” Crawfish Fest Campers can start arriving at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 29; and on Saturday May 30 from 8 to 11 a.m. The Friday evening show for campers-only and King Crawfish Krewe VIP Ticket holders “is a huge event that presents a preview of the taste and sounds that will fill the weekend,” said organizers. On Saturday night, campers and King Crawfish Krewe members will hear a performance from one of New Orleans’ Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. Four stages will feature 24 Bands playing New Orleans Funk, New Orleans R&B, Delta Blues, Brass, Cajun and Zydeco, Multiple Best of the Beat and award winners Bonerama and Big Sam’s Funky Nation will also appear. Solo artists John Boutte and Paul Sanchez will also appear on Saturday, May 30 as well as “JJ Grey & Mofro,” “Assembly of Dust,” “Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience” and the “Pine Leaf Boys.” On Saturday night at the News 12 NJ Dance Hall, Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys and Jesse Lege’ and Bayou Brew. Papa Grows Funk will also appear Saturday night along with Guitar Shorty, and Eric Lindell and the High and Mighty Brass Band. Summer Rae McLaughlan and Polka Dot will appear on the kids’ stage. On Sunday, May 31, the Radiators will headline the day. Marcia Ball will be play two sets on the main stage and will perform in the dance hall. Tab Benoit, a great blues guitarist and founder of Save the Wetlands, and Benjy Davis Project from Baton Rouge will also appear. Also on Sunday, “The Pine Leaf Boys” will be back along with “Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys,” and Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys, winners of this year’s Best of the Beat award for Best Zydeco Album. Janiva Magness, and “the Matt Angus Thing” with “nthony Morgan’s Inspirational Choir of Harlem and Polka Dot” will also appear. In addition to entertainment, the fest features an assortment of New Orleans fare, including boiled crawfish with corn and potatoes, pork sausage and chicken Jambalaya, grilled alligator sausage, Shrimp Creole, Fried Catfish, raw oysters, Po-Boys and more. Festival enthusiasts who prefer a more traditional menu can choose from grilled Portabella mushroom sandwiches, vegetarian Red Beans, burgers, hot dogs, ice cream, fruit cups, sno-balls and other desserts. All dishes are $8 or less. Event artist, Randy Leo Frechette will be at the Crawfish Fest all weekend, performing his “artistry in motion.” His works hang in the collections of Steve Winwood, Fats Domino, Microsoft, MTV, Chuck Mangione and the House of Blues among others. Visit www.crawfishfest.com to purchase Saturday or Sunday single day tickets, Saturday/Sunday two-day combo tickets, group tickets, four day/three night camping and The King Crawfish Krewe VIP tickets. Tickets will also be available at the gate.