Hattiesburg’s Walthall Park will be alive with music and the smell of 6,500 pounds of boiled crawfish Saturday at the 23rd Annual Downtown Crawfish Jam Music Festival.
The festival is presented in part by Southern Beverage, is hosted by the Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood Association and serves as the largest fundraiser for the Walthall Foundation.
Organizers expect between 1,500 and 1,800 people to attend.
“This is a family-friendly event and we understand the importance of community,” said organizer Brian Saffle.
“With this event we try to mesh a few of the things that bring a community together, that being music and food. We also work very hard to keep the cost at a reasonable price, and for $50 you can come and enjoy just that for seven hours and not have to pull out your wallet once you enter the gates.”
Music lineup
The festival will feature Jukebox Brass Band as well as Grits and Greens who bring their unique southern rock music featuring lyrics that tell personal and satirical stories.
Louisiana-based Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers will perform soulful music with a touch of blues and old-time zydeco feel. The band also incorporates rhythm and blues, funk, rock and roll, reggae and pop in its performances.
Hattiesburg-based Jake Stevens and the Trainwreck will play rock and roll.
Food and drinks
Admission to the festival includes all-you-can-eat boiled crawfish, burgers, sausage dogs, hot dogs and soft drinks. There will also be unlimited beer for those 21 and older.
No coolers or outside food are allowed.
Tickets
Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available until 4:30, Friday, at T-Bones Records and Cafe, 2101 Hardy St. and Signs First, 4400 Hardy St. They can also be purchased until 8 a.m., Saturday, online at Eventbrite.com.
Tickets prices are $50 for adults and $40 for those younger than 21. Children ages 12 and younger are free and admission includes limited burgers, hotdogs and soft drinks.
How to get there, parking
The festival will be held at Walthall Park, 600 Walnut Street, at the intersection with Rebecca Avenue.
There will be limited parking on the streets in the neighborhood.
Organizers recommend parking in the train depot parking lot or the Sacred Heart High School parking lot on Southern Avenue. A shuttle service will run every 20 minutes to take people to the main entrance.
Walnut Street will be closed off between Hall Avenue and Rebecca Avenue. Rebecca Ave will be closed between Walnut Street and Court Street.
Pets will not be allowed. For information, contact [email protected].
E-bikes:What to know about this unique outdoor activity in Hattiesburg
Contact reporter Laurel Thrailkill at [email protected] or on Twitter.
