Cajun music draws crowd, dancing

Cajuns have an adage about their music.

If you hear a tune, you dance.

And the Third Annual Texas Cajun Heritage Festival had a lot of dancing to go with 10 hours of Cajun music.

The Texas Cajun Heritage Festival, sponsored by the City of Orange Convention and Visitors Bureau, was held in Orange Saturday off Simmons Drive at the boat ramp area.

With five bands scheduled, there was a new band every two hours.

Louisiana Scramble kicked off the day of music, feasting and fun at 10 a.m., followed by Cajun Harmony, Jay Trahan and Cajun Jam, Sean Vidrine and Swampfyre.

Jackie Caillier and Cajun Cousins finished off the evening of free entertainment.

Walter and Weegie Butler came from Lafayette, La., to dance the night away.

Charles and Mary Darden, who had just retired and moved to Montgomery, also made the trip back to Orange to get a taste of some good old Cajun music.

If you were hungry, boudain on a stick, ettoufee, and other Cajun delicacies were available.

A favorite food of the day seemed to be fresh cooked potato chips called ribbon fries.

For only four dollars you could get a huge container of them.

Other people were seen carrying bags of fresh pork rinds.

Several of the local charity groups had food booths set up such as the Pinehurst Lions Club, which was selling barbecue sandwiches and drinks.

Scented candles were among the arts and crafts booths, along with wire work jewelry, pottery, horse shoe art, and even homemade doggie treats.

The day was overcast with an occasional, very light mist that never developed into rain.

But the lack of sun kept the temperatures pleasant and cool, especially for the middle of May. With the mild temperature and no entry or parking fees, it was a pleasant, inexpensive way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Darline Zavada, director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, said next year’s Texas Cajun Festival will expand to two days and include a speckled trout fishing tournament.