Neighbor News
10th Annual Mardi Gras Bash Leads Local Act to National Exposure
Local Musicians' Penchant for Producing Popular Party Parlayed into Pro-Level Performance at 32nd Annual Crawfish Fest at NJ Fairgrounds
Warwick’s Uncle Shoehorn’s Big Easy and the New Yorleans Horns, North Jersey and the Hudson Valley’s premier New Orleans heritage music tribute, prepare for a busy 2025. A jam-packed calendar begins with the band’s 10th Anniversary Mardi Gras Ball at the Blue Arrow Farm on Glenwood Road in Vernon on Saturday, March 10th.
A large and growing fan base from NY, NJ, CT and PA returns for this phenomenal party experience from Uncle Shoehorn’s Big Easy year after year. The band produces an epic annual theme party featuring brass-blasted New Orleans Funk, Jazz & Blues, an authentic Second-Line parade featuring hand-crafted Mardi Gras parade floats, giant puppets, zany totems and all the traditional trappings of Mardi Gras. The Blue Arrow’s large venue is transformed into a replica of the famous French Quarter and illuminated by a pro-quality light show. The band also distributes copious beads, masques, complimentary King Cakes and Zapp’s Chips.
The Blue Arrow Farm offers a wide selection of beer, wine, specialty cocktails and a new menu including several authentic NOLA menu items: Crawfish Monica and Crawfish Bread just like you’d get at New Orleans Jazz Festival. Find tickets online by visiting BlueArrowFarm.com or UncleShoehorn.com - $25 presale or $30 at the door. While there are 700 tickets available, the show is a perennial sell-out, so it is recommended to buy in advance.
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Uncle Shoehorn’s “Groove Krewe”, a team of roughly two dozen local creatives and makers help build the truly impressive Mardi Gras Parade Floats every year. In past years, they’ve produced a paddlewheel river boat, a giant alligator, a New Orleans Streetcar, a 20-foot-long pirate ship with giant jester skull and a life-sized façade of the famous Central Grocery in the French Quarter – home of the Muffuletta sandwich!
“This year, the overall party theme is CRAWFISH” said a clearly enthused bandleader, Tony Vee. “We’re building a 10-foot-tall crawfish and boil kettle on wheels promoting our summer appearance at Michael Arnone’s 32nd Annual Crawfish Festival at the Sussex Fairgrounds in Augusta, NJ.” All members of this local act voiced excitement at being invited to perform their favorite NOLA music alongside the many world-renowned New Orleans musicians playing this three-day festival.
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2025 Crawfish Festival lineup includes the best of New Orleans R&B, Brass, Delta Blues, Zydeco, Cajun and Gospel music on two stages. NOLA Luminaries such as Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Marcia Ball, Bonerama, Southern Avenue, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. and dozens more groups will be at the Crawfish Fest. Festivities begin Friday night, May 30 (when Uncle Shoehorn performs with Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes and Amis Du Teche) and continue through the weekend. Camping is available.
Top New Orleans chefs at the event serve up a giant crawfish boil, jambalaya, fried oyster po’ boys, crawfish etouffee, gumbo, red beans & rice, and tons of other New Orleans delicacies and cocktails. Tickets on sale at Crawfishfest.com and be sure to use promo code “Shoehorn” to get a Friday night ticket. Come to both parties and support our local Sussex and Orange County musicians.
