Cajun-Creole Festival Heads for Simi

A bit of Southern Bayou revelry will stomp into Simi Valley as the third annual Cajun-Creole Festival starts Saturday for a weekend-long jubilee.

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise, the event will include concerts, crafts, children’s activities, a Mardi Gras parade and plenty of food to warm your taste buds.

Starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, festival-goers can bide their time between entertainment events on two separate stages. Cajun-Zydeco music will be performed by four groups, including the world-touring John Delafose and the Eunice Playboys. Visitors can learn traditional Cajun dances and waltzes from instructors during intermission.

At the Children’s Stage, youngsters can enjoy the Alphabet Soup Puppeteers, the “Dock” Carter Magic Show and the Jimmy D. & U.B. You! show, which focuses on building self-esteem. The Mardi Gras parade will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; children are encouraged to come in costume. Props will also be available.

If it’s ethnic foods you want, choose among booths offering jambalaya, seafood gumbo, Po’ Boy sandwiches and other Cajun-Creole delicacies.

Festival grounds are at Los Angeles and Surveyor avenues. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Proceeds will benefit the Boys & Girls Club, the homeless, senior citizens and other Rotary projects worldwide.

Tickets are $12; children under 12 enter free when accompanied by a paying adult. For information, call 520-4894.