Rockwall, TX - March 4, 2024 - Mudbug season is in full swing and that can only mean one thing – time for the All-You-Can-Eat Crawfish Fest at the Rockwall Harbor, benefiting J.E.R. Chilton YMCA’s Angel Camp for children with special needs. 

The annual fundraising event, presented by Dodie’s Cajun Diner, sells out each year as hundreds gather on the eastern shore of Lake Ray Hubbard to enjoy mudbugs, music, and merriment for a good cause. 

In years past, generous turnouts of festival-goers helped raise thousands of dollars to help local kids with special needs participate in the Y’s summer day camp program at no cost to the families. Each year, Dodie’s dishes out more than 2,000 pounds of mudbugs in support of this cause.

This year’s festivities will begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 7. The Big Daddy Band will be there as usual. There will be steaming platters of fresh crawfish, corn and potatoes – served up alongside mouthwatering red beans and rice and jambalaya.?

“The event is expected to be bigger and better than ever,” said Dan Keils, Dodie’s Managing Partner. “We’ll have some pretty fantastic raffle prizes and giveaways to round out a day of fun on the patio with friends and family.”

Dodie’s introduced the Crawfish Fest in 2013 as a way to celebrate crawfish season while supporting the local community. This will be the 11th year that the Crawfish Fest has benefited Angel Camp.

“We greatly appreciate the continued support of Dodie’s,” said Harold Young, District Executive Director at the Rockwall Y. “Proceeds from this event benefit Angel Camp, which helps us serve children of all abilities, and creates an environment that allows kids to explore and enjoy new experiences like sailing, swimming, archery, riflery, and horseback riding – with the support that their special needs require.”

Crawfish Fest tickets are limited and available online for $45/adults; $25/kids ages 6-12 (under age 6 admitted free); or purchase them now at the restaurant for a discounted fee of $40/adults; $20/kids. A limited number of tickets are available, and this event is a sell out each year.

Visit dodiesattheharbor.com/crawfish-fest for tickets and more information about this annual event.  Call 972-771-0004 for more information. 

*This is a charity event and tickets are non-refundable. The event will be held rain or shine.