A few words
About Us
Vibrant food and music celebration
that embodies the soulful spirit of Louisiana's bayou culture.

Cajun
Lafayette, “The Heart of Acadiana”, is centrally located in Cajun Country. Here you’ll find some of the Best Cajun food and music around. The neighboring cities are full of festivities and history that embraces the combined French Canadian and Louisiana cultures.

Creole
New Orleans’ “French Quarters” is infused with the Creole culture. With nightly Zydeco and jazz performances, the scene is full of vibrant and tasty Creole delights! Many Creoles descended from the French, Spanish, and African heritages. It is prevalent in their delectable cuisines.

Zydeco and Cajun Music
Music of Louisiana is very distinctive. Through the streets, swamps, homes, weddings, funerals, country roads, and city blocks, you are bound to hear the joyful sounds of Zydeco and Cajun music. Jazz, Blues, Country, and Swamp Pop are played with distinction as well.
Bayou GatorCraw Fest
Our journey
started in 2015
Mission
At Bayou GatorCraw Fest, our mission is to unite our community through the power of music, culture, and cuisine. We strive to preserve and promote the rich heritage of Louisiana's bayou, while fostering an inclusive and sustainable celebration. Through annual partnerships with charitable organizations, we aim to raise awareness and support meaningful causes, making a positive impact on the lives of others. Our festival is a catalyst for change, inspiring joy, compassion, and togetherness, while creating cherished memories that resonate for years to come.
Vision
Our vision is to create an unforgettable celebration that blends the soulful essence of Louisiana's bayou culture with the vibrant rhythms of music, all while fostering a deep sense of community and compassion. With every edition of our festival, we stand with a different charitable organization, dedicating our platform to raise awareness for their cause. Through this partnership, we touch the lives of those in need, while raising funds, awareness, and hope for a brighter future. Beyond entertainment, our festival provides a platform for local artisans and businesses, fostering economic growth and vitality within the community. We are committed to being more than just a food and music festival; we aspire to be a catalyst for positive change.
Our Commitment
Give Back Program
With a commitment to positive change, we partner with a charity each year, raising awareness for important causes. Our festival embraces diversity, sustainability, and the joy of shared experiences. Join us for an unforgettable fusion of music, Cajun-Creole cuisines, and community, making a difference while celebrating life's rhythms.
making a
difference
We partner each year with Bayou Sunflowers Give Back Program, "Sunflowers Ba YoU" founded by Jr Chefs Zolana, Yazjarie’a, and Aniyah.
Some of the program partners we’ve donated to in the past are as follows:
- Manhattan Boys and Girls Club
- Flint Hills Bread Basket
- MHK Fire Department
- MHK Police Department
- Temple of Peace, COGIC
- Manhattan Area Habitat For Humanity
- and more…

We are Jr Chefs Zolana, Yazjarie’a, and Aniyah aka the BayoU Sunflowers. Our Give Back Program is called “Sunflowers Ba YoU”. We named it that because, it’s with your support that we are able to help our communities. Each Spring we host a fundraiser booth at the BayoU GatorCraw Fest in Manhattan, Kansas. And, this year we are raising funds for Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association’s Doctor’s Care and Camp Footprint. This is something dear to us: Our own Jr Chef Zolana has CMT was diagnosed three and a half years ago. — BayoU Sunflowers
About the CMTA
The Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association (CMTA) is the largest philanthropic funder of CMT research worldwide. The CMTA was started by patients, and to this day is powered by a community of patients. The CMTA’s Strategy to Accelerate Research (STAR) brings the best CMT researchers, clinicians, and experts in therapy development together with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and patients to expedite the development of treatments for CMT. The CMTA is also actively working to help improve the quality of life for all families living with CMT by offering educational programs and materials, hosting patient and professional conferences, providing support to families through its nationwide branch system through North America and more.
What is CMT?
Charcot-Marie-Tooth (shar-ko¯’ mä-re´ tooth) or CMT is one of the most common heritable neuromuscular diseases, affecting one in 2,500 people worldwide. CMT affects the long peripheral nerves that control the muscles.