ROOM FOR EVERYBODY—The enormous dance floor is packed at last year’s Cajun Creole Music Festival in Rancho Santa Susana Community Park. The two-day event, which starts tomorrow at 10:30 a.m., is organized by the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise to raise money for their many causes. WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers That ol’ fiddle-playing Cajun gator is back in town. And this year he’s brought along a blues harmonica-playing buddy.

The two are mascots for the Cajun Creole Music Festival with a Blues Infusion, happening tomorrow and Sunday this Memorial Day weekend at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park, 5005 Los Angeles Ave.

The Simi Sunrise Rotary Club hosts the annual fundraiser, now in its 21st year, to benefit local and international charities.

Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 29 and 30. The park is across the street from the Simi Valley train station.

“We’ve made some big changes this year,” said festival chair Craig Foster. “We’ve created an expanded blues area to go with our traditional Cajun area.”

Foster and more than 300 club volunteers began organizing the huge event in September.

“We have a full-size blues stage this year, with world-renowned and Grammy-winning blues bands performing both days,” he said.

“We’re expecting a larger crowd than ever because we’re marketing to a much larger audience base this year outside of Simi Valley. We’re hoping to draw blues lovers into the area.”

In recent years, the event, which is among the largest Cajun festivals west of the Mississippi, has attracted more than 14,000 people over the two-day weekend.

Acadiana, Theo and the Zydeco Patrol, T-Lou and His Super Hot Zydeco Band and Bonne Musique Zydeco are among the featured acts playing traditional Cajun/Creole and zydeco music.

Randy Chortkoff of Delta Groove Productions will present the fifth annual Delta Groove All-Star Blues Revue.

Among the featured blues artists are Elvin Bishop, The Mannish Boys, The Soul of John Black and Candye Kane.

“There’s not any other event around that will equal what people are going to get for the price of admission,” said Gary Steward, the event’s entertainment chair. “These are top acts from both genres playing throughout the day.”

The Rotary Club will donate the proceeds to 40 nonprofit charities in Simi Valley and to international humanitarian projects in a dozen countries through Rotary International. Over the past 20 years, the local festival has raised $1.2 million for charitable donations.

Food vendors will dish up Cajun and Creole specialties such as jambalaya, alligator, crawfish and andouille sausages. There’s traditional American fare, too, like hot dogs, pizza, tritip sandwiches and kettle corn.

The festival includes the Cajun and Blues Kids’ Area, with crafts, face painting, rock climbing walls and inflatable rides.

Tickets for admission to this year’s event are $18 for those 13 and older and $15 for kids 5 to 12. Children under 5 are free.

All Cajun and Blues Kids’ Area activities and attractions are included in the price of admission this year. In past years, childrens’ admission was free but they were charged for the rides.

“A vast majority of people attending our event have children,” Foster said. “This time we’re charging . . . admission for children, and once they’re in the park it’s free rides.”

Discounted tickets are available for purchase online at www.simicajun.org and at retail stores throughout Simi Valley.

Parking is free and is available on Stearns Street behind Rancho Santa Susana Park and at the train station.

Overflow parking will be at Simi Valley High School, with free shuttle service to the festival grounds.

For more information, go to www.simicajun.org.