BP Oil Spill to Have Small Impact on Michael Arnone's 21st Annual Crawfish Fest

Presenting Quality Seafood Is Extremely Important to the Success of Our Festival

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Amanda Shaw

AUGUSTA, NJ (05/12/2010)(readMedia)-- The Crawfish Fest vendors have already purchased the shrimp, oyster meat, catfish, crabmeat and crawfish tail meat that they are serving at this years' Crawfish Fest. It is in a USDA inspected and approved cold storage facility. We know for sure that this seafood is oil free. All of the crawfish that we are shipping live to the Crawfish Fest are raised in fresh water ponds; they are out of harms way from the oil spill.

While acquiring Louisiana raw oysters may be nearly impossible, we have oyster meat for the oyster po-boy. We may have to remove raw oysters and grilled oysters from the Crawfish Fest Menu. We will make that decision one week before the event. The live crawfish will be trapped on June 2 and transported from New Orleans to the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta, NJ, just in time for the Crawfish Fest on June 4 (campers only), 5 and 6.

According to LSU Professor of Aquaculture, C. Gregory Lutz, "farm raised crawfish have won praise from numerous environmental organizations for their sustainability and high quality. Crawfish farming relies on a natural food chain, based on vegetation planted and grown during the summer months. He explains, "Crawfish are extremely sensitive to poor water quality or traces of pesticides, so any potential problems are easily monitored and avoided." The Monterrey Bay Aquarium recognizes U.S. farm raised crawfish as a "Best Choice" on their "Seafood Watch" list.

Arnone adds, "Presenting quality seafood is extremely important to the success of our festival and I have made sure that we meet the high expectations of our guests. We are looking forward to another year of great food, great music and great fun."

The campgrounds open for campers on Friday June 4 at 10:00 a.m. and from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 5.

For a complete menu and stage schedule of this year's performers, visit www.crawfishfest.com.

Each year, the Crawfish Fest features a variety of authentic New Orleans fare including boiled crawfish with corn and potatoes, chicken & sausage jambalaya, grilled alligator sausage, Shrimp Creole, red beans & rice with pork sausage, catfish, crawfish, oyster, shrimp Couchon de Lait, hot sausage Po-Boys, crawfish pie, crawfish bread and Crawfish Ettoufee. Festival enthusiasts, who prefer a more traditional menu, may choose from grilled Portabella mushroom sandwiches, vegetarian Red Beans, burgers, hot dogs, ice cream, fruit cups, sno-balls, beignets and other desserts.

Visit www.crawfishfest.com to purchase Saturday or Sunday single day tickets, Saturday/Sunday two-day combo tickets, group tickets, 4-day/3-night camping and The King Crawfish Krewe VIP tickets. Tickets will also be available at the gate. Free parking is available.

The Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta, NJ are located off Interstate Route 80 at Exit 34B, just one hour west of Manhattan and thirty minutes from the Pennsylvania Pocono Mountains. For more information about tickets, entertainment, food, crafts and lodging, visit www.crawfishfest.com. Excluded from the Crawfish fest are pets, food and ice chests.

Sponsors include Bud Light®, News 12 New Jersey, Jagermeister, WFDU-FM, WNTI-FM, International Ticket Company, and 84RV.com, Tommy Bahama Rum, State Shuttle, Azunia Tequila and Crystal® Hot Sauce.

Note to Editors: Please contact Naoma Welk for interviews with Artists and Chefs.

Hi Res Images can be found at http://www.crawfishfest.com/Press%20Releases.htm

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