Get ready to pinch some crawfish tails and stomp your boots at the annual Celina Cajun Fest presented by Texas Homes & Land!
Celina's Downtown Square
MAY 11, 2024
2 PM to 9 PM
Life Craw-nected.
North Texas' Biggest Crawfish Boil returns on Saturday, May 11th, where Celina's Downtown Square transforms into a Cajun culinary destination.
Dig into a mountain of Texas-sized crawfish while the hottest Cajun and Zydeco bands crank up the heat with two-steppin tunes. Get your fill of gumbo, jambalaya, and all the fixin's, browse unique handmade goodies, and watch alligators snap and roll in live educational shows. Plus, a free kid zone brimming with carnival fun keeps the whole family groovin'!
We're excited to announce this year's musical headliner: AARON WATSON! Mark your calendars for a day of Cajun flavor, LIVE music, and memories that'll stick like hot sauce. Let the good times roll, Celina!
This event is free to the public. Interested in supporting us? Become a sponsor or volunteer.
#CelinaCajunFest #YeeClaw
Crawfish for Purchase at the Event!
May 11, 2024 2 PM to 9 PM
Welcome Aaron Watson!
2024 Headliner
Aaron Watson is a man forever looking to the horizon. Where other artists might rest on their laurels, he consistently presses onward to the next frontier, cutting through lazy industry wisdom in favor of success won on his own terms. He is the first independent male country artist ever to debut an album at No. 1 on the Billboard Country chart, a feat recognized in the Country Music Hall of Fame. He has earned a litany of prestigious awards, hundreds of millions of streams on his music, shared the stage with country music legends Willie Nelson and Alan Jackson, and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for multiple charities. This next chapter of his trailblazing career sees him deep in the weeds on two projects: the first, an album of covers dedicated to his daughter; the second, a 2024-slated album of originals that promises to be his most daring and audacious release to date. “My goal is to put out the best country album in all of country music in 2024,” he says simply, “It sounds crazy, but then pretty much everything I’ve done sounded crazy until I did it.”
Watson hails from Amarillo in West Texas and began writing songs whilst still in high school. He began performing in college, eventually forming a band and developing a loyal following. Despite being approached by major labels, Watson chose the road less traveled and released his work independently. This turned out to be the right call when his album “Real Good Time” charted in the top ten nationwide on Country Billboard. An unheard of feat at the time. With the taste of success fresh on his lips, Watson pushed onward and created “Underdog”
which became the first Country album released independently to chart at number one. “People told us that it had never been done. It was impossible. I don’t put so much stock in that word anymore.”
Success built upon success with Watson’s follow up albums. However, 2020 heralded a slow down for the artist by way of the COVID-19 pandemic and an unexpected vocal cord surgery. “That time out reminded me what a blessing this is. To get to do what I love, sing the songs that I write and have people sing them along with me.” Watson was keen to get back to his fans, and to make them feel like a part of the family more than ever before.
“Me and my thirteen year old daughter Jolee Kate had been talking a lot about music, particularly female singers who write their own stuff. I wanted her to understand the power that comes with owning your own voice.” Out of those conversations came Cover Girl, a collection of covers of mold-breaking female country singers performed by Aaron, with his daughter joining him on vocals for one track. “I had no plans for the rest of the world to hear it, but the more people I told, the more people loved it. So we’re doing it as a full release, I’m so excited!”
Aaron Watson is nothing if not audacious, and his promise to fans that his next album of originals will be the best Country album of 2024 stands firm. By his own admission, the songs are, by-and-large, completed, yet Watson continues to push himself to make them better. "I love every second of what I get to do, but if making music is a marathon (and it is), I want to collapse to the ground the second after I cross the finish line. Nothing left to give." Aaron Watson is a man constantly reaffirming his dedication to the craft of songwriting, and it is this commitment to quality and treating his fans with respect that has proved him, time and again, to be the living North Star for country music’s free and indomitable spirit.
Stage Events
Event Schedule
2 PM: EVENT KICK-OFF/SHUTTLES BEGIN
2:30-3:30PM: JASON ELMORE (Main Stage)
3:30-4:15PM: GATOR COUNTRY PERFORMANCE (Gator Stage)
4:30-5:30PM: NEW ORLEANS SUSPECTS (Main Stage)
5:30-6:15PM: GATOR COUNTRY PERFORMANCE (Gator Stage)
6-7PM: JAMIE BERGERON & THE KICKIN' CAJUNS (Main Stage)
7:45-9PM: AARON WATSON! (Main Stage)
9PM: EVENT ENDS/LAST SHUTTLE LEAVES
With Special Guests
Gator Country
Gator Country Adventure Park
We are excited to welcome Gator Country Adventure Park back to our annual Celina Cajun Fest. Gator Country is home to the largest Alligator Adventure Park/Sanctuary in Southeast Texas.
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Gator Country will perform two shows that will last between 45 minutes to one hour. During their amazing shows, Gator Country will focus on educating the spectators on the importance of conservation of the American alligator. In addition, they will also educate on crocodiles, snakes, and other reptiles, such as turtles, tortoises, and lizards.
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Gator Country will oversee some personal interaction and interactive excitement with their shows for spectators to watch. Spectators will have the opportunity to get up close to these amazing reptiles as they will be able to interact with 2-to-3 alligators (and yes, they are taped up), snakes, and turtles.
Hold Onto Your Hats (and Crawfish)! The Official Celina Cajun Fest Shirts Have Arrived!
Spice up your festival wardrobe faster than you can say "etouffee" with this hot number, perfect for two-steppin' or just plain steppin' on over to the crawfish boil.
SHOP LOCAL VENDORS!
Shop local vendors selling handmade & homemade items. Enjoy traditional fair food such as corndogs and funnel cakes, as well as Cajun and Latin cuisine. See the below list of approved vendors, feel free to shop their websites prior to the event. #shoplocal
Plenty To
Go Around
Food & Beverage and Market Vendors Filled!
Cajun themed, handmade, and homegrown artists and artisans preferred.
*Applications are through Eventeny, which is a free platform for vendors to create a profile and apply. Please note, all applying vendors are required to enter a credit/debit card. Once approved to participate, you will be sent an approved message & invoice through Eventeny (also sent to your email). Payment will automatically be charged 5 business days after payment notification using the card you applied with. Please contact events@celina-tx.gov if you have any questions or concerns.
Park & Play
Celina Cajun Fest is held on Celina's Downtown Square. Free Park and Ride Shuttles to and from the event will be available from 2 - 10 PM.
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2 Pick-Up Locations: Celina High School & Collin College
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Pro Tip: Check out our Downtown Parking Maps!
Volunteers
The City of Celina has a variety of volunteer opportunities for individuals age 16 years or older. Volunteering offers a great way to get connected and give back to the community. Our volunteers are a valuable and much-appreciated resource for our fast-growing City and the myriad activities in the community. It only takes a few minutes to sign up: simply complete the online form to be added to our volunteer database.
Join Us at Celina's Award-Winning Cajun Fest!
Below is a list of awards Celina Cajun Fest received in 2023 from Texas Festivals and Events Association.
Best in Texas, Best Volunteer Program
Best in Texas, Best Sponsor Activation
Best in Texas, Best Outdoor Billboard
Best in Texas, Best Individual Sponsor Follow-Up Report
Best in Texas, Best Digital/Social Ad Series
Bronze, Event Website
Bronze, Event/Organization E-Newsletter
Bronze, TV Promotion