HUNTSVILLE — In New Orleans, having more crawfish mounds in your yard than you do grass is a sure “tell” you are a crawfish lover. In Huntsville, all you have to do is show up to The Camp in the MidCity District for the third annual Crawfish Festival.

From noon to 11:45 p.m. Saturday, the festival, with the help of New Orleans-based Octo Hospitality, will be as authentic if not as large as the famous Breaux Bridge Crawfish festival.

The Camp will bring in more than 7,500 pounds of crawfish this year; some 5,000 pounds of crawfish were served to more than 10,000 people last year.

This year’s menu includes crawfish nachos, crawfish-loaded baked potatoes, Zapp’s Cajun Crawtator chips, and Crawfish Monica – a Creole crawfish pasta and Louisiana tradition.

“When curating events at The Camp, we diligently select food, drinks, vendors and musicians who are authentic to the culture of that event,” said Jamie Munoz, Octo Hospitality co-founder. “The crawfish selected for this festival lends its authenticity to New Orleans and is prepared by award-winning chefs who have a special mix of herbs and spices that bring a genuine Cajun flavor.”

Admission and parking are free for the festival.

In addition to crawfish, there will be plenty of drinks and music from Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band, Funk You, Flow Tribe, Quantaphonics, Admiral Phunk and John Papa Gros.

“MidCity District is thrilled to bring back our annual Crawfish Festival for a third year,” said Lindsey Pattillo Keane, executive director of MidCity District. “We are celebrating summer beginning, authentic cuisine, award-winning music, tasty beverages and the gathering of families from all over North Alabama.

“Our partners, Octo Hospitality, and sponsors allow us to host extraordinary events while patrons tour and explore all that the district has to offer.”

The festival includes an option to purchase a two-pound box of crawfish with a potato, sausage and corn, or guests can order from the crawfish-inspired menu.

Mais yeah!