Thank goodness, it’s Crawfest season once again! After starting in 2007, Crawfest has grown into one of the largest student run festivals in the United States and boils over 20,000 pounds of their namesake shellfish. The beloved festival has finally found us once again and now is as good a time as ever to review some tips and tricks to make sure you have a great time and don’t end up swimming with the fishes– the crawfishes that is. Whether it’s your first Crawfest or you’re a seasoned professional, it’s never too late to implement the following into your annual experience.
Wear Sunscreen
Living in Louisiana, I’m sure I can speak for everyone when I say that sometimes we leave the sunscreen at home and accidentally end up with a hefty sunburn, especially around the spring and summer months. I may or may not have experienced this last year during Crawfest, but now I have learned my lesson. There aren’t many shaded areas on the Quad, so make sure to wear sunscreen or a hat. This will ensure that you have a great day at the festival while also protecting your skin in the process.
Bring Water
On the topic of being out in the sun, we also have to make sure we are staying hydrated as well as protected. Frankly, I don’t understand why people go anywhere without a full water bottle, but I guess not everyone is as constantly dehydrated as I am. Crawfest happens in April, a notoriously hot month in Louisiana as we gear up for a classic Gulf South Summer. While water is provided alongside the crawfish, it is only available while supplies last. You don’t want to be the one person who passes out while eating your weight in crawfish. Bring water and make sure your friends do as well!
Get Tickets Early
If you’re reading this and haven’t gotten tickets yet, I advise that you rush to the Crawfest website ASAP. It’s a tale as old as time: a student remembers that Crawfest is coming up and they tell themselves that they will get tickets soon– only for them to be sold out once they remember. Get your tickets now! They are free for students and it’s as easy as entering your Splash ID and clicking “submit” on tulanecrawfest.com. Don’t be that person who is begging in group chats for a spare ticket.
Don’t Miss Some of the Smaller Artists
I know we’re all excited for Hans Williams, but don’t miss out on artists like Apricot Jam or The Ries Brothers! The exact schedule for the musical performances has not been released yet, but keep an eye on tulanecrawfest.com for updates as soon as they come out so that you can plan your day! You might find your next favorite band.
Don’t Skip Out on the Corn
Obviously the crawfish is the star of the show, but the corn they boil alongside it is absolutely delicious and something you don’t want to miss! Make sure you try it out before getting your second serving of crawfish!
No matter how you spend your time at Crawfest, you are bound to have a great time. This festival is so unique and really captures the spirit and food of Louisiana, which is something that you should be actively trying to experience during your time here at Tulane. So go forth and eat all of the crawfish that your heart desires– make sure you don’t skip the corn.
Featured Image via Mercedes Ohlen.
About Mercedes Ohlen
Mercedes was The Crescent’s Editor-in-Chief from 2022-2023. She graduated from Tulane with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. She enjoys going to the movies, fashion, and writing about the great city of New Orleans. She will be pursuing a career within the entertainment industry upon her graduation from Tulane. No topic is too obscure, and no story too niche. Roll Wave!
Mercedes was The Crescent’s Editor-in-Chief from 2022-2023. She graduated from Tulane with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. She enjoys going to the movies, fashion, and writing about the great city of New Orleans. She will be pursuing a career within the entertainment industry upon her graduation from Tulane. No topic is too obscure, and no story too niche. Roll Wave!
