The Drew Rodrigue Foundation (DRF) has just announced the seventh annual Bugs & Brew for Drew Crawfish Cook-off and Beer Festival, which will take place on Fulton Street in New Orleans on Saturday, May 20th from 3PM – 8PM. The free-admission event will feature a crawfish boiling competition, craft beer, local music, and children’s entertainment.  The family-friendly festival will benefit the Drew Rodrigue Foundation, a local non-profit which celebrates heroes in the face of adversity, in honor of Drew Rodrigue, a local football coach who battled against cancer.

“My husband Drew embraced life and believed that cancer would not win each day,” said Mary Kathryn Rodrigue, Chairman of the Board of the Drew Rodrigue Foundation. “This event is an homage to that passion for life; an opportunity for us to change the lives of others, while celebrating moments with friends and family.”

All proceeds from Bugs and Brew will go toward DRF’s current charitable project of building both the inpatient and outpatient oncology playrooms in the new freestanding Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital located in Baton Rouge.  The playrooms will provide much needed play, distraction and education for oncology patients in the new children’s hospital and adjoining clinics.  It will also include an area for patients and family members to receive supportive counseling and education, as well as enrichment opportunities with community partnerships.

Growing rapidly in its first few years, the event will take place on the Fulton Street pedestrian corridor, where 15 teams from around the region will compete for the titles of “Best Crawfish” and “Best Lagniappe.” This year, Bugs & Brew will feature a culinary aspect to the event by offering crawfish-inspired dishes from several New Orleans restaurants including Galatoire’s, Rock-N-Sake, Manning’s and the newly opened DTB, to name a few.The event is also hosted by Harrah’s New Orleans, with sponsorship from Yeungling, Iberia Bank, Where Y’At Magazine, and Lympho-maniacs.  Beer selections will be offered by Yeungling, Parish, 40 Arpent and more.  Live music will feature the musical talents
of King James & the Special Men, Me & My Friends, and Big Easy Playboys.

General admission is free and open-to-the-public. VIP Cajun Pass tickets can be purchased in advance for $50 until May 14th, or $60 thereafter and includes complimentary beer and crawfish as well as exclusive access to designated VIP areas with crawfish inspired dishes from several restaurants and balcony seating. Individual food and beverage tickets will also be sold at the event for those with smaller appetites.

More information about DRF and its current and past initiatives can be found by visiting www.drfnola.org.