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Cajun festival attracts the warmest spirits of Simi Valley
Justin Cowles
Fingers Schriver, 56, has been helping the jubilant atmosphere with his southern drawl for the last five years of the Cajun festival.
Justin Cowles
Cajun food brings curious eyes as Asia Shapiro, left, and Samantha Snyder, middle, offer Rudy Guitreau, right, a basket full of bright-red crawfish.
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More from Simi ValleyThe weather reflected a dark and cold day, which was quite the opposite of the mood at the Simi Valley Cajun Creole Festival.
The police trailer showed the horrors of those who drink and drive with a wrecked SUV in front of the main gate for all to see. But upon entering the grounds, a man named Fingers Schriver, 56, who is decked out in Mardi gras clothes, tried to attract people to the beer tent by using a southern drawl.
"Come on down," yelled Schriver. "Get your beer right here and your tickets right there." Schriver has been a part of the festival for the last five years. He also is a Simi Moose Lodge member and participates in the local Civil War reenactments.
The 19th annual Simi Valley Cajun Creole Festival is run every year on Memorial Day Weekend by the Rotary of Simi Sunrise. Admission proceeds from the festival go toward local charities like The Boy and Girls Club, YMCA, Relay for Life, and the Boy Scouts of America.
The festival features something for everyone. An assortment of southern Cajun food is available that includes Crawfish, Jambalaya, and Gator-on-a-stick. With the largest outside dance floor west of the Mississippi, plenty of room was available for dancing. "We've been here every year with the exception of one," said Jimmy Harvy, who was enjoying the dance floor with his partner, Peggy Shropshire-Mobbs. "We just love it."
The festival also had an expanded children's center with a stage for young performers and an assortment of bounce arenas that were available with the purchase of a ticket. Local vendors all around the event sold their arts and crafts. Such items for sale ranged from extremely hot salsa, to swords, to hand-made jewelry and wood carvings made right before your eyes.
For more information, visit the Cajun Festival's website at simicajun.org or call the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise at (805) 517-9000.
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