Cy-Fest to bring part of Louisiana to Cypress

Photo by Marie Leonard

Workers make preparations for the second annual Cy-Fest event, which will be held March 23–25 near the Houston Premium Outlets.

Authentic Louisiana cuisine, carnival rides and several country music acts will greet visitors at the second annual Cy-Fest event, which runs from March 23–25.

"Instead of being with your kids at the baseball fields, you're at a carnival watching Pat Green or Cowboy Mouth play," said Mark Martinez, chairman of the Acadiana Group, the company in charge of the event. "It's just a community event, or somewhere you can see your neighbors in a different atmosphere."

This year's theme is "A Taste of Louisiana," and vendors will be serving authentic Cajun cuisine such as crawfish, jambalaya, etouffee, alligator and red beans and rice. Other food, including hot dogs, Frito pie, sausage on a stick and funnel cake will also be served. Miller Brewing Companies products will be sold in a beer garden on-site, and several other beer stations will have soda, water and teas.

"[Cy-Fest] will be a central focus point for people who are from Louisiana and people who love Louisiana," Martinez said.

Several music acts will perform throughout the weekend, but Kevin Fowler is headlining Friday night, Pat Green will perform Saturday night and Kyle Park will be on stage Sunday afternoon. A full list of performers is online at www.cyfest.com.

The Acadiana Group has plans to host several similar festivals this year in areas such as Katy, Sugar Land, College Station and two locations outside Texas.

Tickets for Cy-Fest are available at the gate, online or at the H-E-B Cypress Market's customer service department. An adult three-day pass is $17, and a child's three-day pass is $8. A one-day pass is $10 for adults and $5 for children.