Reckless Kelly to headline Eighth Annual Crawfish Boil

SIKESTON -- A musical lineup that includes a Grammy Award-winning band, a fun zone for kids -- and, of course, crawfish -- make up this weekend's Eighth Annual Crawfish Boil.

The crawfish boil, which is the Sikeston Jaycees' second-largest fundraiser (with the rodeo being first) is set for 2 p.m. to midnight Saturday at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds.

Last year over 1,800 patrons turned out for the event and the Jaycees are expecting even more this year. This year they will also cook more crawfish than ever before -- 3,100 pounds, according to event chair Jeremiah Quick.

"We cooked 2,700 pounds last year and sold out sooner than expected," Quick said

The crawfish come straight from a farmer who gets them out of southern Mississippi, Quick said.

"We bring them up live and we start doing the purging process -- cleaning them out and are busy cooking at 8 a.m. Then we're cooking until we're done which is 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. It's an all-day job," Quick said.

While crawfish is the main food attraction, other food will be available for an additional cost, such as hamburgers and hot dogs. There is also juice for children, Quick said.

"We've always had music -- one or two bands -- and we've grown to more and bigger bands over the last seven years," Quick said "As the event has grown, so has our entertainment."

Headlining the event is Grammy Award-winning country-alternative act, Reckless Kelly.

"Reckless Kelly is the biggest act the Crawfish Boil has had," Quick said.

Reckless Kelly's string of critically acclaimed albums include Under the Table and Above the Sun (2003), Wicked Twisted Road (2005), Bulletproof (2008), Somewhere in Time (2010), Grammy-nominated Good Luck & True Love (2011) and Grammy-winning Long Night Moon (2013).

The group's newest album, Sunset Motel, is like its predecessors.

"I think it's awesome that we're having a national, award-winning act like Reckless Kelly at the Crawfish Boil," said former Sikeston Jaycees President Jason Pounds.

Reckless Kelly celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2016, Pounds noted.

"Two of the band members are brothers who were part of a western swing band (Muzzie Braun and the Boys) with their other two brothers and their father," he said.

They've even performed on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" twice, Pounds said.

"I mean that's a long line of musical talent," Pounds said. "It's just great to have that kind of talent in southeast Missouri. We've really grown this event over the last seven years to where we're still able to have great local talent such as The John D Hale band as well as national talent -- starting with Stoney Larue last year."

The "Red Dirt/Americana" genre is fast becoming very popular in this area and not just in the Texas/Oklahoma and southern states, Pounds said.

"That's kind of where we want to take this event musically," Pounds said. "With the rodeo, we have huge national acts that are great, but the Crawfish Boil gives us a chance to showcase this kind of music that a lot of people really love on a smaller, more intimate scale. And, of course, the main thing is that by growing this event, we can help the community even more with proceeds from it just like we do with the rodeo, which is what the Jaycees are all about."

Quick agreed.

"This is an event where we can make money and hopefully turn around and help some places in town," Quick said. "We pride ourselves in the ability to be able to make donations to these places and help them out as much as we can."

Kenny Rogers Children's Center, YMCA of Southeast Missouri, Missouri Delta Medical Center, Sikeston House of Refuge, The Knead and Southeast Missouri Food Bank are among those who benefit.

"There are a lot of ways we try to help out in the community," Quick said.

In addition to Reckless Kelly, performing at the Crawfish Boil will be Hunter Hathcoat, Outlaw Saints of Cape Girardeau and Evan Webb of Jackson.

"The first entertainer hits the stage at 2 p.m. and the last entertainer is around 9 or 9:30 p.m. and they play a 90-minute set," Quick said.

Camping spots will also be available for $30 and can be secured the day of the Crawfish Boil, Quick said.

The event is held rain or shine.

"If there is a chance of rain, we'll have plenty of tents set up and dry spots set up. Rain or shine, the bands will play," Quick said

Children 10 and under get in free, and a kids zone is available Quick said.

"We want the parents to come out and bring their kids," he said, adding the kids zone will feature a petting zoo and bounce houses.

Event attendees are mixture of all ages, Quick said.

"There's a steady flow of mixed age groups. and it's more of a concert scene in the evening," Quick said.

The Crawfish Boil is an ideal time to kick off spring, Quick said.

"We want people to come out and have a good afternoon and evening -- and just have a good time.

Presale tickets are on sale now for $8 on the Jaycees' website or ticket office. Tickets will be $10 at the gate. Ticket covers admission only with drinks, crawfish and other items sold separately inside the event.