The 12th Annual Southwest Cajun Fest will have Chandler shimmering and rumbling with booming brass bands, cascading Mardi Gras beads, vibrant street performances and bubbling seafood boils this weekend.
The Southwest Cajun Fest will be from 2 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 3 at Dr. AJ Chandler Park, located at 178 E. Commonwealth Ave. It will feature an all-new Prohibition-era hidden speakeasy, live Dixieland performances, a three-hour performance by The Killer Dueling Pianos and a Bourbon Street experience complete with Mardi Gras bead throwing, stilt walkers, costumed street performers and a strolling brass band.
“The Southwest Cajun Fest captures what makes Mardi Gras in New Orleans special – the sights, the smells, the spices and seasonings are all here,” said Keith Raab, director at Forty8 Live! “This year’s festival is bigger and better than ever, and we’re so excited to provide a day of magic in which Arizonans can gather and make memories.”
Patrons can enjoy mouth-watering Cajun cuisine served by vendors, including classic Mardi Gras delicacies like king cake, beignets, crawfish, authentic spiced seafood boils and more. Embrace the future with on-site tarot card readings and psychic-led seances. For patrons 21 and older, Arizona’s top mixologists from Events Plus will shake and serve fruity rum hurricanes, daiquiris and other NOLA drink favorites.
Children can get up-close with live alligators, exotic birds and reptiles at a petting zoo, bounce around on inflatables, show off their creative flair at a Mardi Gras mask decorating booth and enjoy live face painting. For families seeking laid-back fun, the festival will have giant yard games like Jenga, Connect Four, checkers, ladder golf, Kong Pong and cornhole available.
Tickets are available on the event’s ticketing page. Parking is free with slots and lots available throughout downtown Chandler.
