Simi Valley rolls out carpet for annual Cajun/Creole festival
By Michelle Knight
knight@theacorn.com

The 15th annual Cajun/Creole Music Festival coming soon to Simi Valley is an opportunity to do more than kick up your heels to syncopated Zydeco music. It’s a chance to immerse yourself in all things Louisiana: from gator-on-a-stick to stilt walkers and Mardi Gras parades.

The 15,000 visitors expected to attend the festivities on Memorial Day weekend will do even more than just enjoy themselves. Each ticket they purchase will benefit numerous local charity and non-profit organizations.

Tim Shannon, festival chair, said the event has netted more than $150,000 for local charities in the last three years.

". . . [W]e’ve given a tremendous amount of money to those in the community who need help, and it’s through those festival participants and corporate sponsors that allow us to funnel this money to the needs in the community," Shannon said.

According to Shannon, the fundraising event, which is the brainchild of the Simi Sunrise Rotary Club, gives nearly half of its proceeds to scholarships funds, education programs, and youth and family organizations. The remaining half is given to non-profits such as health and medical groups, senior organizations and homeless programs.

"It’s probably one of the highest fundraisers for non-profits," said Mayor Bill Davis. "Besides that, it’s a lot of fun."

But these groups aren’t the only ones to benefit. The event brings in tourists from all over the country, including vendors, musicians and visitors from the Bayou State itself.

Area businesses such as hotels, restaurants, gas stations and even drug stores benefit from these tourist dollars, said Barbra Williamson, councilwoman.

"It . . . brings revenue in and a lot of beer sales," she said.

Festival History

The fundraiser began in 1989 as a community clam bake, but experienced only mild success. After the Simi Sunrise Rotary Club changed the theme, date and venue, the festival started gaining popularity. By 1993, charity proceeds had more than doubled.

Crowds grew larger and more components were added, such as the children’s Mardi Gras parade. The event became the second largest festival of its type west of the Mississippi River and the largest fundraiser in Sunrise’s history, organizers said.

Four years ago the festival moved to its current location to accommodate visitors and vendors.

The event has become so large that 1,600 volunteer hours are needed per day to operate the weekend hours, Shannon said.

The Cajun/Creole Music Festival is scheduled for May 29 and 30 and will be held at Santa Susana Community Park at the corner of Los Angeles Avenue and Stearns Street.

Visit www.cajun2004.com for more information.