Michael Arnone’s annual Crawfish Fest returns May 29 to 31
It started very simply. In 1988, Michael Arnone was feeling homesick for his native Louisiana.
“I just wanted to have a party where I could eat some crawfish and jambalaya, drink some beer, and listen to some music,” he says.
“I still do that, just on a larger scale,” he adds.
Arnone is a master of understatement. The “party” that originally had about 70 people in attendance has evolved into a three-day celebration of the food, music, and culture of Louisiana in general and New Orleans in particular.
Michael Arnone’s Crawfish Fest now regular attracts as many as 10,000 and is regarded as the beginning of the summer music festival season in northwest New Jersey.
This year’s festival will take place at the Sussex County Fairgrounds this weekend, tonight through May 31.
As in the past, the Crawfish Fest offers a combination of Louisiana performers of various genres with a smattering of local talent.
This year’s line-up includes at least one authentic New Orleans legend: singer and pianist Mac Rebennack, better known as Dr. John, now in his mid-70s.
Another artist, guitarist George Porter Jr., is the son and namesake of a member of the Meters, considered one of the great funk bands to emerge from the Crescent City.
Other acts include Marc Broussard, Anders Osborne, and Nikki Hill. Arnone says he is happy to include “our zydeco guys,” referring to such artists as Geno Delafose and C.J. Chenier.
In addition, the Sussex County-based band From Good Homes will hold one of their periodic reunions at this year’s Crawfish Fest.
Arnone says he takes it as a point of pride that many of these artists are repeat performers. “I think this is the fourth time Dr. John has played for us,” he says.
Though music is a huge draw, Arnone says he also recognizes how important food is to the event. He imports thousands of pounds of crawfish, to say nothing of such dishes as etouffee, jambalaya, and alligator stew.
This year he is introducing two new items on the menu. One is a hot roast beef po’ boy, a sandwich that Arnone calls “one of the things we’re famous for down South.”
He is also experimenting with serving etouffee (which consists of crawfish smothered in a sauce) in bread bowls.
“I’ve always dipped my French bread into my etouffee, and I loved that,” he says. “With the bread bowls, it’s even nicer. The bowl soaks up the etouffee, and then you eat the bread.”
Regularly tweaking his menu and music line-up is important to Arnone, who moved back to Louisiana in 2001 but who still comes back to New Jersey for the Crawfish Fest.
“I’m always talking to people, asking them what they like and what they don’t like,” he says.
Arnone feels that his festival brings a New Orleans party atmosphere to the Garden State.
“I go to a grocery store, and nobody talks to anybody else,” he says. “But when you’re at the festival, you talk with everybody. ‘Hey, how long have you been coming here?’ ”
The fact that he has offered camping (along with special events for campers only on Friday nights) has only increased attendance, according to Arnone. “Our camping sites have been selling out, and that’s huge for us.”
Arnone admits that he had no anticipation that his picnic back in 1988 would have grown the way it has. “But I’m very grateful,” he says. “This is a passion for me, and it’s a passion for everybody who works for me.”
MICHAEL ARNONE’S 26th ANNUAL CRAWFISH FEST
WHAT: Three days of New Orleans-style music and food, much of which is imported directly from Louisiana. Crafters and vendors. Music ranges from rock to blues to zydeco. Performers include Dr. John, Anders Osborne, Marc Broussard, Samantha Fish, From Good Homes, and others. Camping available.
WHEN: 5 to 11 p.m. today (campers only); 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 30; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, May 31
WHERE: Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Rd., Augusta
TICKETS: $45 for Saturday or Sunday; $70 for combo Saturday/Sunday pass; $155 per adult caper for three-day camping pass. Group rates available.
INFORMATION: www.crawfishfest.com