If you’re craving crawfish, then hightail it to the area’s only French Quarter-inspired festival.

There are plenty of ways to kick off your summer fun, but it’s hard to top the eighth annual Mudbugabeaux-N-Brew festival. Even the name makes you smile.

The crawfish boil will include a crawfish-eating contest – of course, local live bands, a free commemorative T-shirt for the first 1,000 visitors, children’s activities and more. The festival also will feature craft and domestic beer, but the focus definitely is on the crawfish.

“We want people to learn more about crawfish. We cook them live on-site,” says Jim Beck, owner of French Market Grille West, which puts on the event. “There are lots of craft beer festivals, but we want to do something different. This is the last time to have an event before it gets too hot to have an outdoor summer festival.”

Other Cajun and Creole dishes such as jambalaya and muffuletta sandwiches also will be available. All-American favorites such as corndogs and lemonade will be on the menu as well. In addition, a variety of vendors, ranging from car dealerships to outdoor sporting goods stores, will have booths at the family friendly festival.

If You Go:

What: Mudbugabeaux-N-Brew Festival

When: 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday, June 4

Where: Augusta Commons

How Much: $5 

More Info: frenchmarketwest.com

Anyone who has ever wondered what ham radio is all about has the opportunity to learn at Amateur Radio Field Day. The free event will be held from 2 p.m. Saturday, June 25 until 2 p.m. Sunday June 26 by local amateur radio clubs. 

The Amateur Radio Club of Columbia County will hold its event at the Grovetown Lions Club, 105 Whisky Road, while the Amateur Radio Club of Augusta field day will be at Blythe City Hall, 294 Church Street.

“People can come out, and we’ll guide them through opportunities to talk on the radio to people around the world,” says Rusty Welsh, the Columbia County club president. 

During the annual event, amateur radio operators across North America establish temporary ham radio stations in public locations to showcase the science and skill of amateur radio. The goal is to test preparedness skills, including deployment and operations of equipment, and to contact as many other amateur radio stations around the globe as possible during the 24-hour period. 

Ham radio operators provide a critical public service for the community during times of disaster, and they can provide reliable communications when the normal infrastructure is offline or overwhelmed. Licensed by the Federal Communications Commission and trained in the art and science of radio communications as well as basic electronics theory, amateur radio operators own and maintain their own communications equipment and are prohibited by federal law from receiving payment for services.

“A lot of people have no idea what amateur radio is, but we want people to know we’re here,” says Chris Clark, the Augusta club president. “We pride ourselves on being an educational club. We do a lot of community service during events and emergency situations in the area.”

If you’re just thinking about “Cooling Out,” then the Summer Beach Blast is the place for you. Evans Towne Center Park will become our own little “Ocean Boulevard” when The Catalinas, The Tams and Soul Dimension perform beach music favorites.

In addition to music, the event will feature a sandy “shoreline” and free water slides for the younger set and the young at heart. 

Concertgoers who purchase VIP tickets will get “Big Kahuna” treatment including reserved parking, a Lowcountry dinner, beer and wine, preferred seating and viewing areas, and private restrooms.

No coolers are allowed, but food and beverage vendors will be on hand. Bring blankets or chairs to sit and listen to the music – unless of course, you’re dancing the night away. Shoes are optional.

If You Go:

What: Summer Beach Blast

When: Friday, June 3; gates open at 4:30 p.m., music begins at 6:15 p.m.

Where: Evans Towne Center Park

How Much: General admission – $10 in advance, $15 at the gate; VIP – $80; advance tickets are available online or at Associated Credit Union

More Info: (706) 650-5005 or summerbeachblast.com