Today, Monday, April 17th, is National Crawfish Day and Gulf Shores will be celebrating this weekend with the Zydeco & Crawfish Festival at Waterway Village. Click here for more information about this weekend's festivities.

Every year on April 17th, people in the United States, especially in the south, celebrate National Crawfish Day. This day is dedicated to the appreciation of these small, tasty, freshwater crustaceans that are a popular staple in the culinary world, particularly in the southern states.

Known by various names like crawdads, mudbugs, or crayfish, these tiny creatures have become synonymous with the flavorful and diverse cuisine of the American South. Let's dive into the history, traditions, and culinary delights associated with National Crawfish Day.

History of National Crawfish Day

National Crawfish Day was established to honor the cultural significance of crawfish in American cuisine and the long-standing traditions associated with it. The origin of this day can be traced back to the Native Americans, who were the first to harvest and consume crawfish. European settlers soon adopted the practice, and the popularity of crawfish quickly spread throughout the southern United States.

Crawfish as a symbol of Southern culture

Crawfish have deep roots in southern culture, particularly in Louisiana. The state's humid climate and swampy terrain make it an ideal habitat for the crustaceans. Crawfish have become an integral part of Louisiana's Cajun and Creole culinary heritage, with dishes like crawfish étouffée, crawfish bisque, and crawfish boil becoming regional favorites.

The popularity of crawfish has spread beyond the southern states, with many people across the United States enjoying these crustaceans in various forms. The annual Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival in Louisiana, held in early May, attracts thousands of visitors from across the nation to celebrate the crawfish season.

National Crawfish Day Traditions

National Crawfish Day is celebrated in a variety of ways, but some traditions have become more popular than others. A few of the most common ways to celebrate this day include:

1. Crawfish Boil: A traditional crawfish boil is a social event that brings together friends and family to enjoy a feast of boiled crawfish, corn, potatoes, and sausage. The crawfish are typically seasoned with a blend of spices, creating a mouthwatering and flavorful experience.
2. Culinary Delights: Restaurants and home cooks alike prepare special crawfish dishes to celebrate the day. Crawfish étouffée, crawfish pies, and crawfish bisque are just a few examples of the delicious meals you can find on menus across the country.
3. Educational Events: Some venues host educational events to teach people about the importance of crawfish, their life cycle, and their role in the ecosystem. This helps promote awareness and conservation efforts to protect these crustaceans.
4. Themed Parties: Many people host crawfish-themed parties on National Crawfish Day, complete with crawfish decorations, games, and of course, plenty of crawfish dishes to enjoy.

National Crawfish Day is an excellent opportunity to explore and appreciate the rich cultural and culinary traditions associated with these small, freshwater crustaceans. Whether you're attending a crawfish boil, trying out a new crawfish dish, or simply learning more about these fascinating creatures, be sure to take part in the celebrations on April 17th.

Crawfish Facts:

• Crawfish, also known as crayfish, crawdads, or mudbugs, are small freshwater crustaceans.
• They are predominantly found in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
• Crawfish prefer habitats such as slow-moving streams, ponds, swamps, and marshes with muddy bottoms and abundant vegetation.
• They are omnivorous and feed on a diet of plants, small fish, snails, and decaying organic matter.
• Crawfish have a unique life cycle that includes four stages: egg, larva, juvenile, and adult.
• Juvenile crawfish molt as often as once a week during their first few months, but less often as they mature. Crawfish reach maturity at an age of two months to one year and can live up to three years of age.
• The female crawfish carries fertilized eggs under her tail for about 2-4 weeks until they hatch into larvae.
• The larval stage lasts for a few weeks, during which the larvae go through several molts before transitioning into the juvenile stage.
• Juvenile crawfish resemble small adults and continue to molt and grow until they reach adulthood.
• The average lifespan of a crawfish is 2-3 years, although some species can live up to 5 years in the wild.
• Crawfish season typically starts in late February or early March and lasts until June, with peak harvest time occurring between April and June.
• The beginning and end of crawfish season can vary depending on factors such as temperature, rainfall, and location.
• Crawfish are a popular culinary ingredient, particularly in the southern United States, where they are often used in dishes like crawfish étouffée, crawfish bisque, and crawfish boils.
• Alabama has more species of crayfishes than any other state. Of the roughly 400 known species of crayfish in the world, at least 98 are found in Alabama.
• Louisiana is the leading producer of crawfish, but Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas all have booming industries.

Places to get Crawfish in the Orange Beach Area: 

• Rouses in Orange Beach or Gulf Shores
• Bon Temps Poboys & Specialty Meats
• Tacky Jacks (all 3 locations)
• Bubba’s Seafood
• OSO at Bear Point Harbor
• Zydeco & Crawfish Festival this weekend in Gulf Shores
• Saturday, May 6th - 1st Ever Pinched Crawfish Tails Cook-Off