What began over a quarter of a century ago as the brainstorm of Llano residents and a group of hunters from Beaumont has grown into quite the Cajun festival – and benefits local charities, too.

The Llano Crawfish Open returns for its 27th year April 15-16 on the banks of the Llano River, and features plenty of crawfish and Cajun food, live music, a golf tournament, a motorcycle run, arts, crafts and much more, in what is a little fun for everyone.

Cajun food is the big draw and what makes the festival unique from many others across the region. There will be plenty of crawfish, with crawfish, corn and potatoes piled high. As a matter of fact, there will be 17,000 pounds of crawfish boiled over a two-day period. A $10 ticket also includes brisket, sausage, beans and bread. The big flats full of crawfish piled high are available for $20. You better get there early, because you sure don’t want to miss this heaping pile of delicious Cajun food. Sausage wraps will also be available, as well as a bowl of jambalaya for $5. Later in the day, the ever-popular red beans and rice will be brought out for the event.

There’s plenty of live music, and a little bit to please everyone, with genres from country, Cajun, jazz and pop included in two days’ worth of musical performances. Jack Ingram, a Texas country singer/songwriter and the 2008 Academy of Country Music Award winner for “Best New Male Vocalist,” will bring his unique blend of talents to the stage to wrap things up Saturday night. Ingram has performed such hits as “Barefoot and Crazy,” “Wherever You Are” and “That’s A Man.”

Be prepared to hit the dance floor with Friday night’s headliner, Jake Hooker, who will bring his unique blend of Texas swing as folks dance the night away. Other Friday performances include Tessy Lou & the Shotgun Stars, the JJ Garrett Band, Courtney Reed, and the Cher La-Bas. In addition to Ingram on Saturday, other performances include Kenny Orts & No Chance, Deann Rene, Big Gus & Swampadelic, Dr. Zog, and the Cadillac Gypsies.

Don’t forget the activities for the young ones, too. Inflatable bounce houses and bungees are available during the day both Friday and Saturday, and during the afternoon, the ever-popular crawfish races will be held. The arts and crafts show will also be held during the day Friday and Saturday.

The annual Crawfish Team Roping will also be held over a four-day period. Beginning Thursday afternoon, the event will give out 22 Crawfish trophy buckles and the top money winner over the four-day period wins a gooseneck stock trailer.

The always popular Charity “Crawfish” Golf Open is back both Friday and Saturday. The four-person scramble has a shotgun start at both 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on both days. Sign up is available by calling the Llano River Golf Course at 325-247-5100. Also at the scramble, the first person to hit a hole in one on the par 3 fourteenth hole wins a car, sponsored by Benny Boyd Dodge Chrysler jeep.

For those looking for something more active, the annual Crawfish Crawler 5K Walk/Run kicks off at 8:30 a.m. on County Road 116, off Ranch Road 152. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. at the golf course parking lot. All entries received by April 1 will get a free T-shirt, while those received after that point are on a first-come, first-served basis. Divisions, both male and female, are 15 and under, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 to 69 and 70 and over.

Those looking for fun on two wheels won’t be disappointed, as the motorcycle fun run is set to kick off at 10 a.m. and the last bike out will be at 2 p.m. There will be door prizes, a silent auction and awards. The Christian Motorcycle Association will also hold Sunday morning services at 8 a.m. at the Ray House.

Also, don’t forget about the live auction, which is set for 8:45 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. There will 10-15 items auctioned off each night.

Admission is free until 7 p.m. on Friday and is $5 per person after 7 p.m. On Saturday, admission prior to 7 p.m. is $10 and admission after 7 p.m. is $15. No ice chests or pets are allowed.

Don’t forget to open your hearts – and your wallets – as proceeds from the event benefit a variety of Llano County charities, such as Meals on Wheels, the food pantry, the Llano County Special Opportunity School and Activities Center, the Hill Country Children’s Advocacy Center and more.

Come on out and join the party at the 27th Annual Llano Crawfish Open.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!