Friday May 13, 2022 – Mardi Gras “Purple” Party (Adults Only)
5:00 PM – 900 PM CDT
Saturday, May 14, 2022 Family Day
10:00 AM – 8:00 PM CDT
Blue Earth Plaza
315 S 3rd St
Manhattan, KS 66502
Dorothy, Live Louisiana Crawfish and Live Gators Gon’ Invade the Yellow Brick Road, Again! Join us for the 5th Annual BayoU GatorCraw Fest!
Don’t Forget To Get To Buy Entry Tickets at Eventbrite!
The BayoU GatorCraw Fest is a Cajun-Creole Food and Music Festival featuring authentic delights of the Louisiana Culture. The event is held in The Little Apple’s, Blue Earth Plaza, Downtown Manhattan, Kansas. Here, where “The Red Brick Road Intersects The Yellow Brick Road,” features Live Zydeco Sensations, Bayou Cuisines, N’Awlins Jazz and Creole Cuisines, Live Louisiana Gators, Louisiana Live Boiled Crawfish, Cajun and Creole desserts, kids and family entertainment, live chef and jr chefs cooking demonstrations, and much, much more.
The BayoU GatorCraw Fest founder and operator, Executive Chef Que Purdy, is a native of the “Red Stick.” Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she was taught to cook at the tender age of 4 years old by her grandmother, Rosie J. Mason aka “Mama Deaux.” Yes, you’d be correct if you thinking, there’s a MamaDeaux’s Cajun and Creole mobile café in Manhattan, Ks. Purdy opened it up on the birthday of her grandmother, August 24, 2018. Once a brick and mortar, now a mobile café, the company caters, hosts events, participates in fairs, and provide personal chef to their Cajun and Creole cuisine loving family. After serving in the US Army, Purdy attended culinary school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and from there she birthed several restaurants and catering businesses across the US. “My goal is to provide, the people with an Authentic Cajun and Creole experience at The BayoU GatorCraw Fest,” says Chef Que Purdy.
Highlights of the BayoU GatorCraw Fest:
Now, a TWO (2) Day Event! Friday Night, Mardi Gras “PURPLE” Party is and All Adult Party. This evening event will feature Live Zydeco and Cajun/ Swamp Pop Music, Hors d’oeuvre Hour, Live Gator Presentation, and Select Food and vendor Booths. Get Ready to be Dazzled where the Cats Roam! The Wildcats and The Tigers will be out with Purple Power!!!
Saturday, “Family Day” is filled with a host of exciting events for all ages! From cooking demonstrations and competitions featuring The BayoU Sunflowers, to Live Bands ALL day including Louisiana’s rising sensation, Brian Keith and Zydeco Legacy, Kidz’ Zone activities including Live Louisiana Alligator Exhibits and Storytelling, New Oz’leans, where “The Red Brick Road” intersects “The Yellow Brick Road” and The French Quarters interconnect with Emerald City in the Little Apple with incredible Visionary Vendors! At the heart, stands “Shop In The Boot” store, BayoU GatorCraw Fest’s gift and novelty shop with edible yummies, beads, lighted charms, T-shirts, gators, and much more, just for you!
Food and Drink Court
Snuggled in the Red Stick and New Roads areas, people will love the country city feel of the food court area. Here they will encounter authentic Cajun and Creole Cuisines in the city and bayou atmospheres.
Food Booths will Feature Authentic Cajun and Creole delights such as Louisiana Live Boiled Crawfish, Gator on a Stick, Alligator Gumbo, Jambalaya, Boudin Balls, Beignets, Pralines, Catfish PoBoys, Red Beans and Rice w/ Andouille Sausage, Huckabucks, and much, much more! Did someone say cotton candy and freshly squeezed lemon juice? That’s right, mini cakes and kettle corn or among festival favorites, as well.
As we continue in our community awareness program, this year we will shed light on fibromyalgia: A disease that affects the central nervous system, causing widespread pain in the body among other life altering issues in the body from head to toe.
VIP Area
Filled with “Country Elegance,” the VIP area will have a Buffet, Private Bar, Wait Staff, Private Toilets and Handwashing Station, Signature Mardi Gras Beads, BayoU GatorCraw Fest T-Shirt, Complimentary Bottle of wine for all Fully bought tables of Ten (10), Meet and Greets with performers, and complimentary gifts; while enjoying the festivities in a private covered area, Chateau du Rouge.
There will be Two (2) Stages: Bourbon Street and BayoU
Bourbon Street Stage Features Live Bands.
The Lineup is as follows:
Gospel (River of Life Band) 10:00-11:00
National Anthem (TBA) 11:00
Jazz (The Dixie 6) 11:30- 12:30
Blues (Big Harry & The Back Alley Blues) 13:00- 14:00
Special Tribute Performance 14:30- 15:00
Swamp Pop (The Grateful Dudes) 15:30- 17:00
Mardi Gras Parade 1700- 17:30
Zydeco (Bryan Keith and The Zydeco Legacy) 17:30- 19:30
BayoU Stage Features Live Chefs and Jr Chefs Cooking Demonstrations.
The Lineup is as follows:
Bayou Sunflowers- Beignets 11:45- 12:30
Jr Chef Competition 12:45 -13:45
Prizes and Awards Ceremony 13:45- 14:15
Chef Demo (TBA) 15:30- 16:30
Chef Demo (TBA 17:30- 18:30
Chefs’ Corner- Shop with the Chefs 18:30- 19:30
Kidz’ Zone Features Free and Paid Ventures
Include are:
Story Time (MHK Library) 13:00- 14:00
15:45- 16:45
17:30- 18:30
Gator Show 11:00- 11:45
14:00- 14:45
16:45- 17:30
The Mad Hatter 10:00- 19:30
Bayou Gator Land 10:00- 18:30
Bounce Houses 10:00- 19:00
Spin The Wheel 10:00- 19:00
Craft Making 10:00- 19:00
Games 10:00- 19:00
Face Painting (Paid) (Aunty Nancy’s Face Art) 10:00- 20:00
Henna (Paid) 10:00- 20:00