GALVESTON ISLAND, TEXAS — The inaugural Galveston Cajun Crawfish Festival, which is set for Juneteenth and Father’s Day weekend, June 17-19, will feature some of the best musical entertainment that the Houston-Galveston area has to offer. Along with the musical entertainment, the festival will have succulent crawfish, all sorts of festival foods from a variety of vendors, a Kids Zone and more.

Set to kick things off from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, June 17, will be the Mambo Jazz Kings and then from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Marcus Ardoin and Da Zydeco Legends will take the entertainment stage to close out the evening.

The Mambo Jazz Kings have been entertaining audiences — both young and old — from stages of concerts, festivals and night clubs. The band’s outstanding rhythm section, powerful horn ensemble, and soulful vocalists are sure to get you out of your seats! Then if you love Zydeco music, then you’re in for a treat. Marcus Ardoin and Da Zydeco Legends will play its brand of high-energy Zydeco that will certainly keep you on the dance floor.

Then from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 18, Ruben Moreno — known by many as one of the hottest “rub-board” artists in the world — and the Zydeco Re-Evolution will perform. Moreno will debut his sizzling style of Creole soul, honky-tonk zydeco, soulful vocals and timeless accordion skills to the Galveston Cajun Crawfish Festival for all to see and hear.

In addition to these featured acts, there will be live music played by local DJs throughout the festival, and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. June 18, Majic 102.1 FM DJs Candy Eastman and Robert “BassMan” Washington will be broadcasting live from the festival as well.

Also making its debut at the Galveston Cajun Crawfish Festival will be the reggae dance group Adrenaline Mas Band at 5 p.m. June 18. The band will perform and entertain festivalgoers in its colorful costumes all with a Caribbean flare!

On Sunday, June 19, there will be no headline performers; however, local groups, schools, churches and other organizations will be showcased from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The festival hours are noon to 11 p.m. June 17, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. June 18 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 19 in the parking lot of Kermit Courville Stadium, 1207 27th St. (near historic Kempner Park). The festival will take place rain or shine!

Sponsorships and vendor booths are still available for this premiere event. Sponsorship packages are available at $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000, and $10,000 increments. Vendor packages start at $375 and higher. For more vendor and/or sponsor information, visit gccrawfishfestival.com, visit the events Facebook page: Galveston Cajun Crawfish, or follow the event on Twitter (@gccrawfishfest) and Instagram.

Tickets are $12 per day/person or $30 for a three-day pass through June 16. At the gate, tickets per day are $15 for adults or $40 for a three-day pass. Ages 12 and younger and active military with current ID (must provide ID) will be admitted free. No coolers, outside foods, drinks, alcoholic beverages, radio’s, bicycles, pets and/or weapons will be allowed inside the venue.

Also to kick things off, employees from the city of Galveston, American National Insurance Co. and the University of Texas Medical Branch will be admitted for free between the hours of noon to 2 p.m. June 17. Employees will just need to show their employee IDs and they will be admitted into the festival for free.

For information, visit gccrawfishfestival.com or call 409-939-2685.