Traditionally in the U.S., Memorial Day is the official beginning of summer.  But in the SBC summer starts on Thursday when Mudbug Madness kicks off at Festival Plaza in Shreveport.

What started as a small event attended by about 200 people, has grown into one of the Top 20 events in the Southeast according to the Southeast Tourism Society. Sponsors are expecting 80,000 to come through the gates from Thursday through Sunday.

Seems we here in these parts just can't get enough of crawfish, the delicacy we so lovingly call mudbugs.  During the 4-day festival, patrons will consume 80-100,000 lbs of the scrumptious crustaceans.  (I did the math, that's between 40-50 tons.)  And did we mention beer?  Not only will there be 80,000 people there, but that's almost exactly how many kegs of beer will be emptied.

Of course if you're going to keep people coming back for a 4-day event, you've got to have more than food and beer.  Mudbug Madness has an impressive array of Cajun and Zydeco bands lined up along with Country star Ty Herndon who performs on Saturday night.

Admission is only $5 bucks, children under 7 are free.  Military personnel get in free with Military I.D.

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