St. Mary’s Crawfish and Bluegrass Extravaganza set for April

The 16th annual St. Mary’s Knights of Columbus Crawfish and Bluegrass Extravaganza is set for Saturday, April 14, at St. Mary Parish, 1453 Old Shell Road, 4-8 p.m. Tickets cost $30 in advance or $35 at the gate for adults. Kids aged 13-18 get in for $15 while 12 and under get in free.

Enjoy all-you-can-eat crawfish with all the trimmings, gumbo, hot dogs and chips as well as adult beverages, soft drinks and more for this family fun event. Live music will be performed by Fat Man Squeeze. The rain-or-shine event is my favorite of the year.

Purchase tickets at Mobile Popcorn or at brownpapertickets.com.

Atlanta Food and Wine Festival

Looking to get out of town for a food learning experience? Tickets go on sale this Friday, March 16, for the Atlanta Food and Wine Festival. Save money by ordering early for this humongous event happening Thursday, May 31, through Sunday, June 3, in midtown Atlanta.

This annual festival brings together 150 chefs, mixologists, sommeliers, pitmasters and more from Texas to the District of Columbia and all points in between for four days so attendees can get to know the South through immersive learning experiences, all-you-can-indulge tasting tents and unique dinners and events. With classic festival favorites and new offerings, there is sure to be something to suit every palate.

Ticket packages are customizable for day and weekend passes as well as tasting and dinner packages. Visit www.atlfoodandwinefestival.com to get the best prices before March 30. This 8th annual festival is a short drive for a lot of education and just plain fun.

St. Patrick’s Day fun

We have so many options this year for St. Paddy’s Day. O’Daly’s starts the day with Kegs and Eggs at 6 a.m. followed by a green champagne brunch from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The live music schedule and green dress run are impressive–read more about it in the music section of this week’s Lagniappe.

Newcomer Dublin Irish Pub and Eatery has already had a soft opening and plan for their first grandiose St. Patrick’s Day this Saturday. There’s a fish and chips eating contest, breakfast beginning at 6 a.m., tons of music and debauchery all day long. Welcome to the club.

Callaghan’s Irish Social Club is still the area’s biggest St. Paddy’s party and has been keeping it green since 1946. The 72nd annual St. Patrick’s Day Street Party may be the best one yet. If you’ve never been you should strongly consider it. I’ll say no more.

Krispy Kreme is bringing back its “O’riginal” glazed doughnut for two days this year. On March 16 and 17, a green dough (formulated by leprechauns) glazed donut will be hot and ready. Show them how you celebrated the O’riginal Glazed with #GreenDoughnuts. Eat responsibly.

Recycle!