7th Annual
Bayou GatorCraw Fest by MamaDeaux's Cajun & Creole Cafe
April 26-28, 2024
Friday 5-10PM
Saturday 12-10PM
Sunday 12-8PM
All ages are welcome.
Blue Earth Plaza
Centerpiece to the Entertainment District in Downtown Manhattan, Kansas at 315 South 3rd Street.
Bayou GatorCraw Fest embraces New Orleans’ vibrant spirit and captures the melting pot of Bayou culture. Experience for yourself the heart and soul of Louisiana in true Cajun and Creole style right here in Manhattan, Kansas.
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Louisiana Tradition
Live Boiled Crawfish
Diverse Cultural Music
Live Music and Good Times
Cultural Delicacies
Authentic Cajun and Creole Cuisine
Bayou GatorCraw Fest
Highlights
Get the experience of a lifetime with creative, cultural cuisine, live music and dancing that may feel foreign, yet right at home.
New Orleans is a hot bed for cultural celebration and good times, so this is your chance to a weekend of just that.
Bayou GatorCraw Fest is proud to bring a little bit of Louisiana fun to Manhattan, Kansas.
FREE PARKING!
Chateau de Rouge VIP Lounge
Exclusive area within the festival with special perks.
MamaDeaux's Crawfish Shack
Live Louisiana Boiled Crawfish.
Authentic Cajun-Creole Food Court
Jambalaya, Gator-on-a-Stick, PoBoys, Boudin Balls, Gumbo, Cajun Jambalaya Creole Shrimp, Red Beans and Rice, Huckabucks (Infamous Nawlins' Dixie Cups), Etouffee, Fish and Grits, freshly-made Pralines, and much more. Also international foods and desserts.
Bar
Beer, Wine and Mixed Cocktails, featuring Swamp Juice, Wildcat Daiquiri, Hurricane and others.
Live Music
The best Zydeco, Swamp Pop, Blues, Jazz, Gospel and Country Bands to keep you dancing on the dance floor all day long.
Beignets
Fresh Café du Qvondeyz Express Beignets and Community Chicory Coffee.
Shop in the Boot
Authentic Louisiana General Store. There will be MamaDeaux’s Signature Cajun and Creole Seasoning, Beignet Mixes and more.
Sunflowers Ba YoU
Community give back program donations and live chair auction.
Live Cooking Demonstrations
Featuring Chef Celeste, BayoU Sunflowers Jr Chefs Zolana, Yazjarie'a, and Aniyah.
GatorLand & More
Live interactive gator experience along with Kids storytelling.
Photo Ops
Photo Ops with Pasquale (Alligator Mascot), Matoota (Crawfish Mascot) and a 360 Video Themed Photo Booth.
Heritage Culture Experience
Explore and engage with the culture, traditions, history, and people at the Cajun & Creole and Kansas History Huts.
FREE Souvenier ePhoto Booth
Included with general admission.
Kidz' Zone
Bounce houses, educational actvities, games and crafts.
French Market Train Rides
Saturday and Sunday only.
Parades
Historical Second Line Dancing Parade happening all three days during the event and Krewe of MamaDeaux’s Little Apple Mardi Gras Parade.
Shops & More...
Local and Louisiana Artisans, Police/Fire/Military Demonstrations (Sat/Sun), Face Painting and Henna.
Bayou GatorCraw Fest
Tickets
General Admission
Blue Earth Plaza, 315 South 3rd Street, Manhattan, Kansas 66502
Free admission for kids under 12 years of age (food, drinks, and VIP Lounge not included).
INCLUDES:
- Live Music
- Dance Floor
- Free Souvenir ePhoto
- Second Line Parade
- Bayou Stage's Live Cooking Demonstrations
- GatorLand (Live interactive gator experience)
- Kidz’ Zone (Bounce houses, engaging educational activities, select games and crafts)
- Kids Storytelling
- Magic Shows
- Cajun and Creole History Hut
- Kansas History Hut
- French Market Train Rides (Sat/Sun)
- Police/Fire/Military Demonstrations (Sat/Sun)
- Free DIY Crafts — Mad Hatter and Masker Made classes for all ages
Friday Admission
Mardi Gras Purple Party
Saturday or Sunday
Admission
$25 / $15
(Adult / 12-17 years old) + tax
- General Admission
Valid for Saturday or Sunday. - Food/drinks not included.
2-Day
Weekend Pass
$45
+ tax
- General Admission
Valid for Saturday and Sunday only. - Food/drinks not included.
3-Day
Event Pass
$50
+ tax
- General Admission
Valid for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. - Food/drinks not included.
Admission & Crawfish
Bundle Package
$40
+ tax
- General Admission included.
- 2lbs. of Live Louisiana Crawfish Boil with corn on the cob, red potatoes and remoulade dipping sauce.
- Redeem once for Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
- MUST ENTER EVENT AND PICK UP AT MamaDeaux's Crawfish Shack, located in the food court area and will stop serving 1 hour before closing (9PM on Fri/Sat, 7PM on Sun). Times are subject to change without notice.
Crawfish Buffet
w/Reserve Seating
$100 / $50
(Adult / Child) + tax
One table seats up to 10 people. ONLY 160 SEATS AVAILABLE IN THIS EXCLUSIVE AREA.
- General Admission included.
- Valid for only one time slot below:
Friday, April 26th, 5PM-10PM
Saturday, April 27th, 12NOON-10PM
Sunday, April 28th, 12NOON-8PM - Includes everything in the
General Admission Pass plus: - All-Day Unlimited Access during event hours with Reserved Seating, Exclusive Souvenir Photo Op, Private Chef(s) Samplings, Wait Staff, Private Bathrooms (ADA-compliant)
- Full Buffet:
Live Louisiana Crawfish Boil (3lbs. for Adult / 2lbs. for Child), Cajun and Creole Main Dishes, Sides, Salads, Assorted Breads, Specialty Desserts, and Unlimited Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Chateau de Rouge
VIP Lounge
$150 / $75
(Adult / Child) + tax
Kids 5 and under are free w/LIMIT 2 per table.
One table seats up to 10 people. ONLY 160 SEATS AVAILABLE IN THIS EXCLUSIVE AREA.
- General Admission included.
- Valid for only one time slot below:
Friday, April 26th, 4PM-10PM
Mardi Gras Purple Party
Saturday, April 27th, 11AM-10PM
Krewe of Mamadeaux's
Sunday, April 28th, 11AM-8PM
Bayou Gumbo - Includes everything in the
General Admission Pass plus: - Early VIP Access (1 hour before event opens)
- All-Day Unlimited Access during event hours
- VIP Reserved Seating
- Full Buffet:
Live Louisiana Crawfish Boil (5lbs. for Adult / 2lbs. for Child), Cajun and Creole Main Dishes, Sides, Salads, Assorted Breads, Specialty Desserts, and Unlimited Non-Alcoholic Drinks - Signature Mardi Gras Beads, VIP Exclusive Souvenir Photo Op, Private Chef(s) Samplings, Lagniappe Bag, VIP Wait Staff, VIP Private Bathrooms (ADA-compliant), and Meet & Greet with Performers
Under the direction of Executive Chef Quanettra "Que" Purdy (army veteran), we celebrate and share the vibrant spirit of Cajun and Creole culture. Baton Rouge, aka “Red Stick” is where I’m from - home of the LSU Tigers and Southern University Jaguars. Cajun and Creole fusion is prodigious in its cuisines and music! We bring together food, music, and people from all walks of life, creating an inclusive and unforgettable experience. Through authenticity, community support, and lasting memories, we aim to preserve the heritage and leave attendees with a deeper appreciation for this unique cultural tapestry. Join us in embracing the flavors, rhythms, and traditions that make Louisiana come alive!
Thank you to our sponsors!
Sponsors are a vital part of The Bayou GatorCraw Fest’s mission. Together, we are able to contribute to the community in various ways through our Give Back Program.
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
2024 Entertainment Highlights
Friday
Ernest James Zydeco
Saturday & Sunday
Marcus Ardoin and Da Zydeco Legendz
Sunday
Grateful Dudes
Swamp Pop
2024 Program Guide
Go-to Guide for Navigating the Festival
We make it easy for you to find your way around — includes map and schedules to help you plan your time at the festival.
Advertise in our Program Guide
Bayou GatorCraw Fest program guide is distributed to all attendees in print and digital. Our guide reaches a diverse audience and increases business exposure. For questions or to reserve ad space, please CONTACT US.
