For nearly three decades, the Cajun Music and Food Festival has provided a celebration of Cajun culture through music, food and dancing.

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">The event doubles as a fundraiser for the Cajun French Music Association, which works to preserve and pass on Cajun culture.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“The festival helps gives us the funds we need to do free events such as Cajun dance lessons, Cajun language lessons, we grant wish lists to 10 area schools for their French programs, we do a lot of events at nursing homes and other events, such as Cajun Days at the Contraband Days festival,” said Janet Piraro, chairman of the Cajun Music and Food Festival.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“We also give four college scholarships a year, two in the fall and two in the spring. We have another scholarship through an endowment at McNeese State University.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">This year’s festival will begin Friday in Burton Coliseum and will conclude Sunday with an 8 a.m. Cajun Mass at the CFMA building, at 3481 E. Prien Lake Road.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Highlighting the entertainment schedule at this year’s festival are Brett Denais &amp; T-Rouge, Ellis Vanicor &amp; the Lacassine Playboys, Lesa Cormier &amp; the Sundown Playboys, LoLo Boudoin &amp; Lakeview Playboys, Donny Broussard &amp; Louisiana Stars, Robert Jardell &amp; Pure Cajun, and Kevin Naquin &amp; Ossun Playboys.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Live entertainment starts at 6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday, continuing until 11 p.m. both days. Doors open at 5 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Saturday.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">The festival will feature a host of culinary treats such as cracklings, gumbo and jambalaya. Activities will include a live auction, raffles, arts and crafts booths and children’s games.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Piraro said the festival draws a wide audience.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“We pull people in from all over the state, we have even had people from Europe attend,” she said. “We have had people from Singapore, from London, from all over Europe. We were amazed at how many come in.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Admission is $8 per day. Children ages 12 and under are admitted free. For information on the festival or Cajun French Music Association, call 540-6417.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody" style="font-size: 12px;">Schedule:</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Friday</span>

<p style="margin-left: 40px;"><span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">6 p.m. — Brett Denais &amp; T-Rouge</span>

<p style="margin-left: 40px;"><span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">8- p.m. — Ellis Vanicor &amp; the Lacassine Playboys</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Saturday</span>

<p style="margin-left: 40px;"><span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">10 a.m. — Lesa Cormier &amp; the Sundown Playboys</span>

<p style="margin-left: 40px;"><span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">12:30 p.m. — LoLo Boudoin &amp; Lakeview Playboys</span>

<p style="margin-left: 40px;"><span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">3 p.m. — Donny Broussard &amp; Louisiana Stars</span>

<p style="margin-left: 40px;"><span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">5:45 p.m. — Robert Jardell &amp; Pure Cajun</span>

<p style="margin-left: 40px;"><span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">8 p.m. — Kevin Naquin &amp; Ossum Playboys</span>

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