By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
OZARK — It seems hard to believe that one of Ozark’s signature events turns twenty today. I recall attending the inaugural event as a teen in 2006, and the festival continues to spread joy and bring the community together. Thousands of visitors packed downtown Ozark throughout the day on Saturday, April 4, for the 20th Annual Crawdad & Music Festival, turning the city’s Square into a hub of activity for one of the Wiregrass area’s most anticipated annual events.
The free, family-friendly festival, held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., drew steady crowds throughout the day as attendees filled the streets for delicious food, live music, arts and crafts, and a wide variety of activities for all ages. Visitors traveled from across the Wiregrass and beyond, with some even coming from as far as California to take part in the celebration.
From the early morning hours, foot traffic steadily increased as families, visitors, and vendors converged on downtown. By midday, the area surrounding the Square was filled with festivalgoers moving between vendor booths, food lines, and entertainment areas, creating a lively and energetic atmosphere.
There was no shortage of entertainment for younger attendees, with amusement rides, inflatables, and other fun activities set up throughout the festival. In addition to youth attractions, there were activities for people of all ages, helping make the event enjoyable for people from all walks of life.
Vendors offered a wide assortment of food and beverages, which filled the air with mouthwatering aromas strong enough to make one’s appetite grow until satiated. Crawdads served as the featured attraction, of course, but there was a variety of food and treats to satisfy anyone. Festivalgoers could be seen thoroughly enjoying crawdads, funnel cakes, barbecue, and a medley of other foods.
People visited the myriad of booths with vendors hawking their wares. The items being offered included homemade crafts, art, jewelry, and other unique items.
Families and people of all ages and backgrounds could be seen laughing and spending quality time together throughout the day, genuinely reveling in the joy and merriment. Many attendees even brought their dogs, walking them on leashes through the crowded streets so our furry, four-legged friends, too, could be part of the festivities.
Everyone I interviewed said they were having an enjoyable time. One woman who was with her three kids, a couple of cousins, and the family dog stopped to briefly chat with me. “We just love coming out every year for this. The kids love it, and I love it, and even our dog really seems to love it, so we always have a good time. Now, we just can’t wait until it’s time for Claybank [Jamboree],” she said. One of the kids, who was probably about 11, said his favorite parts of the festival are the “jumpy houses” (inflatables) and the funnel cakes,” declaring that he positively will never eat a crawdad. Fortunately, the youngster seemed to be among the few who did not partake in the food item after which the festival is named.
I spoke with a married couple who will soon celebrate their 11th anniversary, Mike and Terry. The couple drove up from Florida for the event.
“A local friend of ours turned us on to this [festival], and since we both love crawfish and a good time, we decided to make the drive,” Mike said. “And we were long overdue for a little road trip and some quality time together,” chimed in Mike’s spouse, Terry. The friendly couple said they had plans to stay the night with friends before driving back home tomorrow afternoon.
Many people were quite friendly and did not seem at all bothered by my camera and press badge. In fact, some demonstrated why the South is renowned for hospitality.
One man named Reginald (he insisted I call him Reggi, though) was seated at one of the many tables, eating when I spoke with him. As he tore off a crawdad’s head, sucked the juice, and discarded it into a separate container, he said, “This right here is why I come. All the other stuff is just extra fun. But these crawdads sure are good eating. I’ve been coming since…2007 or 2008, and I’ll keep coming as long as they put this on every year.” As he took a break, he asked if I wanted some of his crawdads or other food from his plate. After politely declining, I asked him if he was from the Ozark area. He is originally from Troy but has lived in Ariton for nearly the last twenty years.
Live music also played a central role in the event, with crowds gathering around the amphitheater to enjoy the performances throughout the day. Musical acts included the EG Kight Trio, John Bull, Hurricane Ruth, The Rock Mob, Crystal Shawanda, and the Ben Flournoy Trio, offering a variety of sounds that kept audiences engaged.
While attending the festival, one standout experience I noted came from watching Crystal Shawanda perform before an attentive audience. Her soulful, evocative voice captivated the crowd (and me). With her unique, gritty, and powerful voice, she belted out a mix of original songs and covers of popular hits, drawing a strong response from the audience. Some attendees relaxed in chairs, tapping their feet to the rhythm, while others danced in the grassy area in front of the stage. The scene reflected the overall mood of the day, as it was clear people were enjoying themselves..
As the day continued, crowds remained strong, even when it thinned a little during the hour in which heavy rain was forecast. However, the forecasted downpour never materialized, allowing revelers to continue enjoying the event. Today’s steady stream of festivalgoers highlights the annual event’s sustained growth and its importance as both a community celebration and an economic boost for local businesses.
The turnout and overall conviviality once again demonstrated the Crawdad & Music Festival’s lasting appeal and its role as a signature event for the City of Ozark and surrounding communities.
The photos below are from the event today. These were taken when it looked like it was about to rain, and many festivalgoers had temporarily taken refuge. Fortunately, the downpour everyone thought was coming never materialized, and I’m told people returned to the festivities. Photos by Jeff Devine.
