Marie Leonard
11th Hour performs several cover songs on stage at Cy-Fest throughout the afternoon of March 24.
Live music, nearly perfect weather and authentic Cajun food greeted thousands of visitors at the second annual Cy-Fest event, which was held in Cypress from March 23–25.
The theme for this year's event was “A Taste of Louisiana” and the related cuisine options weren't lacking. Crawfish appeared to be the most popular item, and messy as it was, it had just the right amount of flavor and spiciness. It was also cooked on-site throughout the day, along with the gumbo and jambalaya.
Fried alligator, served on a stick, seemed to be another favorite, even with younger children. Never having tried it before, we thought it tasted like a saltier version of Kentucky Fried Chicken.
There was plenty of traditional carnival food―ranging from cotton candy to nachos― available for the event-goers who weren't brave enough to try the alligator or crawfish. Several local restaurants, including Raising Cane's and Qdoba Mexican Grill, also had booths at the event. A beer garden provided an escape for adults, who could purchase tickets for Blue Moon or Miller Light on draft.
Aside from the food, live music―ranging from blues to country―played in the background all three days, with Kevin Fowler, Pat Green and Kyle Park each headlining one night. The band 11th Hour, of Houston, played for several hours Saturday afternoon. The band played several cover songs and some of their own music, mostly all rock, in front of the crowd. Additionally, a large carnival area featured about a dozen rides and games for children and adults alike.
Since the event was located on a large grassy area next to the Houston Premium Outlets off Hwy. 290, it provided event-goers with just enough space to roam around from booth to booth, even during the busiest point Saturday night.
Proceeds from the event will benefit nonprofit organizations in Harris County.
