Cajun Music Festival getting ready to roll

Fundraising event for Rotary

Club coming Memorial Day

weekend

This year's Cajun Creole Music Festival promises to be the biggest and best in the 17year history of the event, according to Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise organizers.

The festival will take place on Memorial Day weekend-from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sat., May 27 and Sun., May 28 at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park. The park is at 5005 Los Angeles Ave. in Simi Valley.

The Cajun festival is the largest fundraising event for the Ro

tary Club of Simi Sunrise. Over the course of the festival's history, the club has raised more than $1 million for charity.

Entertainers include a blend of seven Cajun and Zydeco bands with international, national and regional backgrounds. They'll perform on a stage overlooking the largest outdoor dance floor west of the Mississippi, according to organizers.

Vendors on hand to feed the hungry dancers will be selling everything from hamburgers to alligator on a stick, to crayfish and giant desserts.

When they're not eating or dancing, visitors can check out 90 booths featuring crafts, Cajun hats and beads, clothes and the opportunity to drive a simulated race car.

The event will also offer activities for children including inflatable rides, rock climbing, animation characters and a free craft area.

The Budweiser Clydesdales will be on view both days along with the high-flying Purina Incredible Dog Team, made up of some of the world's most athletic canines.

Authentic Mardi Gras parades with marching bands, stilt walkers, umbrella-twirling ladies and fancy-pants gentlemen are also scheduled. The Cajun Creole Music Fes

tival has evolved into one of the largest charitable fundraisers in the Los Angeles/Ventura County area and one of the largest Cajun festivals in the United States. This year's festival promises to be bigger and better than ever.

"While creating a fun-filled event for families and friends, our mission is to raise money for people and organizations in need," organizers said.

Proceeds go to local charitable organizations and community groups in Simi Valley and around Ventura County as well as to national and international groups.

Tickets are $15 at the door. Discounted $12 tickets are available at www.simicajun.org. For kids under 12, admission to the festival is free.