June 6, 2008

Boogie on down

Downtown Campbell’s 30th annual Boogie on the Bayou
celebrates the arts, entertainment, Cajun food and more

By Jeanne C. Carbone
Editor

Spirits soared, the arts were celebrated, and tummies were full for the over 40,000 people who let the good times roll at downtown Campbell’s Boogie on the Bayou the weekend of May 17 and 18.

Timi Butterick celebrated her eighth birthday at Boogie on the Bayou and said, “The spinning wheel is my favorite” as Frankie, Johnnie as Luigi Too District Manager Marian Welch watches. Photos by Jeanne C. Carbone

“This is our 30th year with Boogie on the Bayou,” said Chamber of Commerce staff member, Gerry Gruwell, who assisted at the information booth both days. The chamber presents the must-attend event each year. “It was called the Prune Festival in the beginning. This keeps me busy and I meet a lot of nice people at the event.”

And busy Gruwell is as he answers a walkie-talkie regarding delivery of ice. A moment later, someone asks where the gumbo booth is located. It’s around the corner and they serve more than the traditional dish. There’s Louisiana crab cakes, Savannah bourbon chicken, Cajun stew, jambalaya, pig in a sack and for the brave hearted, alligator on a stick. But there were plenty of other food booths for everyone’s tastes with hot dogs, sausages, Thai barbecue and even funnel cakes among the mouthwatering selection of good eats. No one leaves Boogie on the Bayou hungry.

“We come for the music and dancing,” said Campbell resident Wendy Butterick. “And we’re celebrating Timi’s eighth birthday with her friends, Rosemary Gentile and Sarah Roman. This is so much fun.”

Campbell favorite Lemo performed calypso, reggae and rock on Sunday at the event. Photos by Jeanne C. Carbone

The girls did have fun but they admit with all the music, arts and crafts, and Kiddie Korner play area, their favorite thing is the spinning wheel presented by Frankie, Johnnie and Luigi, Too on Prospect Road where they could win coupons for prizes.

Butterick wasn’t disappointed with musical performances such as Campbell favorite Lemo performing calypso and reggae as well as selections from his new rock cd “Coming Home.” There’s something for everyone’s musical preference with the blues performed by Kickin’ the Mule, Cajun with Sauce Piqante and country artist Fred McCarty, Dixieland by the South Bay Stompers and Bug Horn Rex, soft jazz by Growser Band as well as Motordude Zydeco, Cal Repercussion and Amy Lou’s Blues. The good times did roll.

With over 200 arts and crafts booths, shopaholics were in heaven—clothing, paintings, wood crafts, jewelry, cowboy hats, Mardis Gras masks and other unique items could be found in downtown Campbell’s transformation for Boogie on the Bayou.

Kids and adults enjoyed Boogie on the Bayou’s over 200 booths of arts, crafts, clothing, jewelry and more that displayed their wares in downtown Campbell the weekend of the event. Photos by Jeanne C. Carbone

Campbell businesses participated as well. Blonde Bombshell’s Brooke Ramirez presented her pin-up clothing, accessories, and gifts. Hooters’ girls were promoting the new restaurant opening soon on Bascom Avenue. The Olive Bar’s Ed DeSoto set up a tasting booth offering shots of Persian lime extra virgin olive oil and pomegranate balsamic vinegar for everyone who passed by.

“This is our first year at the Boogie on the Bayou,” said DeSoto who playfully calls himself Don Eduardo. “This town is going through a rebirth and has so much to offer. It’s a great day. And the Olive Bar is one of the crown jewels of Campbell. Now, I must return to giving communion and listening to confessions.”

Boogie on the Bayou—where fun is free when New Orleans hits the heart of Silicon Valley in downtown Campbell.