Crawfish Fest to return to Sussex County in June after two-year COVID absence

FRANKFORD — One of Sussex County's most popular annual events, the Crawfish Fest, is making its return next month for the first time in three years.

The three-day celebration of New Orleans-area music and cuisine will take place at the Sussex County Fairgrounds on June 3 to June 5. The weekend will at long last mark the 31st edition of the event after it was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Organizers are honoring advance tickets from the planned events of the previous two years. Anyone who bought single-day tickets to either the Saturday or Sunday shows may choose to attend on an opposite day this year.

"We cannot wait to open the gates, fire up the 45-gallon cast-iron pots, crank up the amps and let the music flow," said Michael Arnone, who founded the Crawfish Fest in 1989.

Singer-guitarists Samantha Fish and Tab Benoit headline a lineup of more than 20 southern-themed bands and musicians performing over the three days at the fairgrounds. Aside from the event's namesake, attendees can enjoy other New Orleans delicacies that include jambalaya, po'boys, oysters, fried chicken and grilled alligator sausage.

The Crawfish Fest is one of the three main events held at the Sussex County Fairgrounds each summer season, along with the Rock, Ribs & Ridges Festival and the New Jersey State Fair/Sussex County Farm and Horse Show.

Bear encounters: NJ reports an increase in serious bear encounters, but won't conduct a bear count

All three events were canceled amid the initial wave of COVID-19 in 2020, but only the Crawfish Fest dealt with an additional cancelation last year. Arnone attributed the move to a late-summer uptick of cases combined with the relatively low vaccination rate among residents in Louisiana, where many of the attendees and performers are from.

The fest originated when Arnone, a Louisiana native living in Sussex County in the late 1980s, wanted to introduce his familiar food and music to the area. The event drew about 70 people in its first year and now regularly brings in tens of thousands of fans from across the country.

Courts: Former Wallkill youth football, cheer league treasurer avoids jail for theft from program

Single-day tickets for this year's fest start at $35 and will be available at the gate for $40. Attendees can also purchase three-day, on-site camping tickets for $170.

For more information on the Crawfish Fest, included additional ticket information and a full list of musical acts, visit www.crawfishfest.com/.

This article originally appeared on New Jersey Herald: Crawfish Festival to return to Sussex County for 2022