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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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!

Red Stick Quarters Sign

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.

Map
New Roads Quarters Sign

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.

New Orleans Quarters Sign

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.

Beignets
PO Boys
Mardi Gras Parade
GatorLand
Prailines

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

$7

+ tax

  • General Admission
    Valid for Friday only.
  • Food/drinks not included.
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Saturday or Sunday
Admission

$25 / $15

(Adult / 12-17 years old) + tax

  • General Admission
    Valid for Saturday or Sunday.
  • Food/drinks not included.
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2-Day
Weekend Pass

$45

+ tax

  • General Admission
    Valid for Saturday and Sunday only.
  • Food/drinks not included.
Buy Tickets

3-Day
Event Pass

$50

+ tax

  • General Admission
    Valid for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
  • Food/drinks not included.
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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.
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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
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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
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Executive Chef Que Purdy holding crawfish

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 – Cancelled

Little Apple Mardi Gras Parade

Krewe of MamaDeaux’s

Downtown MHK

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.

Download

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.

Program Guide Cover