Boogie On the Bayou
- Hours:
Sat 10 am - 6 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
29 reviews for Boogie On the Bayou
29 reviews in English
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Review from Raquel R.
5/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
The good: I love community events
the bad: prices
The ugly: drunk people, people everywhere, sweaty people
I came here because I wanted to experience the Boogie on the Bayou. I was expecting a little more cajun though. The food was really the only cajun thing going on and I would have liked some more flavor all in all.
I left after about 45 minutes. Perhaps if I had been drinking I would have enjoyed myself more. Maybe next time. -
Review from Allen C.
Milpitas, CA
5/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
Enjoyed the festivities. Great music! It's cool they handed out free beads and nobody needed to show anything :) Having been to Nawlins, the food here was disappointing and pricey. How could they ruin the beignets by making them packed flat. Beans and rice was bland. There are other ways to cook gator meat than deep-fry the crap out of it. I'll come again next time just for the fun and music.
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Review from Jennifer D.
Sunnyvale, CA
5/19/2012
This event closes off Campbell St, and allows people to walk up and down perusing the booths, smelling the cooking meat, and a variety of music. I enjoyed the music and spirit of the event, although I agree with others that have posted that the booths don't stand out as much. I didn't try out the food booths, but they definitely smell good. It was a great day to explore downtown Campbell and to find the green area behind the library. There appeared to be a bouncy castle for kids. Somehow it seems like the experience would be a lot better with a lot less alcohol, and I would love to see more artwork exhibits with more variety.
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Review from Christine N.
San Jose, CA
5/22/2011
I really enjoyed the entertainment at this street fair. The music was awesome, and we found plenty of places to sit (we came Sunday morning through early afternoon). The only place we ate from was the Louisianna Territory truck but mainly because the other places looked like your standard festival fare but like they switched out their signs for more cajun sounding items (except the alligator meat... I assume they really know what they're doing). Louisianna Territory didn't disappoint, and they had an awesome raspberry lemonade that was nice and refreshing in the warm weather.
I was definitely underwhelmed by the booths - nothing really caught my eye. It was pretty much standard art and wine festival items. But again, I was mainly there for the music. Loved the SB Jazz Society and the Creole Belles. Both were a lot of fun and really got you in the 'boogie' mood.
Parking isn't so bad if you know where to go. The library is good for Sunday parking, and there's also a back lot right behind it of mainly city vehicles. We've parked there for many a parade/festival and never had an issue. I think we'd try to make it out to this again next year. -
Review from Anya R.
5/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
Gator on a stick!
I like these street fairs that pop up all over the Bay area because you realize its summer.
They are all the same where there is displays of art and booths of alcohol in which you can walk around with.
This one seemed like a less classy affair as people's intents were to get smashed. Some of the other ones like in Sunnyvale or Mountain View you see people sipping wine and actually looking at the art.
I got there early to meet my friend at 11am and there is free public parking. It took us about 20 minutes to see all there was to offer to we headed to the food area.
Since its Louisiana themed there was lots of cajun food- jambalaya, gumbo, crawfish, etc.
There was a fro-yo booth for 2 bucks that my friend got and seemed legit tho. They were passing out recyclable bags too!
I HAD to try the Gator on a stick. For 9 bucks and something that seems EXACTLY like fried chicken.. wasn't too impressed but at least I get to say I ate gator.
What was pretty tasty was shrimps in artichoke tho that was legit.
Then we went to Aquis and had some swirls. Then some drunky-ness ensued. The end. -
Review from Sonnia K.
Just like any other festivals, there were lots of arts for sale here. There were tons of people wandering around of course. However, compared to the Oktoberfest that was also done in the same spot, Boogie on the Bayou was not as crowded. I preferred the not-too-crowded scene here and friendlier people. In Oktoberfest, people were just drunk. LOL
Anyhow, it was my first Boogie on the Bayou attendance, but not my first taste of Cajun food. Some call it the Louisiana delicacy; some call it food from the South. I just call it Cajun. I love Jambalaya, its spiciness and everything about it was exotic for me. I also tried crab cakes. It would've been better for me if it was crispier. The kids tried the beignets. I was no fan of desserts. It was just like homemade doughnuts for me. I was highly disappointed to have not tried the alligator meat on the stick. I failed to find its booth (was busy babysitting and watching live music). The best deal of the day was the Lemonade with free refills. I think we had three or four refills for the whole day (times two glasses). Healthier than soda or alcohol!
What I enjoyed the most was the California Repercussions band playing. Very entertaining! It was matched with a great weather too. What a great festival! I wish to go back next time so I can try the alligator meat on the stick. Teehee. -
Review from Jayneen P.
Dublin, CA
7/14/2011
This was my first year to this festival! It was alot of fun walking the streets durnk with my friends. People had their dogs and they had a designated area for children. Crowd is diverse, between 25-40. They have tons of stands for shopping and great food!
They had aliigator skewers, get there early for the alligator meat cause they tend to run out fast. Corn on the cob d-lish and for drinking hit up Aqui and grab some swirls. Sunrise Swirls are my FAV ! -
Review from Priscilla M.
San Jose, CA
5/22/2011
I was expecting to have a fun relaxing day at the farmers market, but ended up with boogie on the bayou.
Free parking, but it took 20 minutes and a LOT of chasing and stalking walkers to find a free space.
Food tents, but for a small crab cake and jambalaya and out $20, we were unsatisfied and still hungry.
There werent many places to sit and eat, most people found a place on the ground and sidewalk to dine. Although there was a truck selling lemonade and tea for $6-7 with free refills all day. I also noticed that all the restaurants had people lined up and were full of drinkers. Funny to think that people go to a festival to eat at a restaurant.
The only bayou boogie I could see, was the band playing music you would find in New Orleans.
Tis the season for festivals and fairs. They will give you headaches, everything will be jacked up in price, and it will be crowded. If your not into festivals, then this one won't be any different from any other. But if you love festivals, eat your expensive heart out. -
Review from Kitty M.
San Jose, CA
5/18/2008
Um, there was no Bayou and trying to find a bathroom was me doing the Boogie. ......
So - typical Bay Area Boring street fair. Like my girl Colleen said - lots of stupid and odd booths set up, that really made no sense. I understand clothing and jewelry but the Chinese read your pulse lady, shady chiropractor and Direct TV? I'll pass. I enjoyed seeing a few of the local Campbell shops with booths out - a point for the little guys.
However, where is the Bayou in all of this? Two original Looosiana style places to eat? At least get me a beignet or something. And maybe some merchandise booths selling southern stuff - how bout some Looosiana beer - that was what I was actually hoping for.
Aside from the bathroom I saw near the stage when we walked in- I couldn't tell you where else to pee. So, we ducked into the Coop and had a beer and a potty break.
Not as many hoochies out there today - but damn there was some people watching to be had.
You will see me there next year if there is nothing to do. (meaning wash my dog, do my nails, pay my bills, get a bikini wax) -
Review from Flor D.
5/21/2008
I was looking for the farmer's market and stumbled on a hot mess. As Kitty and Colleen have mentioned, remind me again...what was so "on the bayou" about it? Only highlight I can remember was watching the vendor selling hats with a banner saying no pictures. It was quite amusing, and makes me think twice about buying a hat that has been on a gazillion sweaty heads.
On Sunday, the hooters girls were out promoting their new location as well as handing out stickers. Although it was 10AM in the morning, people were getting their drink on and sporting that awful fashion trend of shorts, sneakers, and white socks up their knees. Yikes.
Luckily for me, the farmer's market was located on a near street, and all was right with the world. -
Review from Christina C.
Santa Clara, CA
5/23/2010
I love going to festivals on a sunny day.
In order to start the day right for festivals, you need to:
1. Get cash
2. come early for parking.
Boogie on the Bayou sounded like fun - Walking around and snacking and drinking beer - its a good time. Oh yea, and alligator. As in, have some alligator on a stick.
We came early to ensure a parking spot and prepared with cash. There weren't THAT many food stations but we tried some alligator. It was exactly like fried chicken - suspisious. I want to see the alligator head for proof of authenticity!
The gumbo was a.o.k. nothing mind blowing. The jamalaya was underwhelming - bland. I think zatarans boxed jambalaya would have had more taste.
The crabcake jambalaya tasted like it was made with immitation crab.
for $8-$10 per plate, I expect better food. Maybe I just didn't get the right food - I was full off of the crappy food that I didn't get a chance to try the sausages or anything else that looked really good.
The lemonaide! Tried 3 different kinds and they all sucked. One lemonaide tasted like they used equal instead of sugar. The 2nd was way too sugary and the 3rd had a plastic taste.
Maybe it will be better next year.Listed in: Festivals/Events
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Review from David T.
San Jose, CA
5/25/2010
So is this what you call cajun??? This piece of crap looked EXACTLY like oktoberfest with an "alligator" stand! I can't believe how disappointed I was in this crap!
So this was supposed to be reminiscent of New Orleans? How are you gonna do that with no crawfish???? The one stand I saw that had anything to do with crawfish..... had a crawfish etouffee with NO CRAWFISH! WTF is that?? They replaced the crawfish with shrimp and had the balls to call it a crawfish etoufee! The alligator was deep fried so much that it ended up tasting like a deep fried piece of pork! For $10 a skewer.... it better taste like alligator!
Besides the food tasting like crap..... the beers cost $5 for a cup that look like it could be no bigger than 8oz! Parking is a pain (but that was already expected for a festival in campbell). Lets just say I won't be back next year!
Oh and another thing! It looks like all the white people left the bay area and called Campbell HOME! I've never seen so many white people in one spot since I left Texas! -
Review from Richard G.
San Jose, CA
5/26/2011
Nice event held in downtown Campbell. Can get pricey but overall you have to expect that when coming to an event like that.Bes deal was the yard of lemonade for $7 with free refills! I brought my son to the event and it's border line not kid friendly. If I was to go out there again next year and if I'm single, Sex Panther Colonge will be worn.... ;-)
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Review from Steph C.
5/20/2009
I have to admit.. it looked exactly the same as oktoberfest.. The only thing "bayou-ish" about the festival was some of the food but other than that it was such a bummer. I was so excited but ultimately disappointed.
I tried the alligator. it was good.. maybe a little too good.. tastes like chicken, I would of guessed that it would taste like fish? haha
Other than that.. it was the same god dam art vendors.. a lot of girls in heals which i was VERY surprised about. It was a bajliion degrees out and the last thing I would want to be in is a pair of stilettos but I guess when you're that drunk nothing matters.
I was planning on drinking but the heat was unrealistic. Who knew it could get that hot! there was a live band that seemed to follow me where ever i went. I liked how it wasn't PACKED like oktoberfest but instead very calm. I think the heat was getting to people.
Surprisingly there were a ton of cops out. I felt kind of bad for them being in a dark blue uniform but oh well.. they give me tickets.. thats what they deserve..
5 dollars a beer
3 dollars for water
9 dollars for alligator on a stick
2.50 for starbucks (an excuse to stand in their AC)
and only 45 minutes of searing how heat.
... we left pretty dam fast... -
Review from Maria C.
6/15/2011
campbell festivals are CHILL. probably not the best place for children (although they will usually have an astrojump), but OK to walk your dog (even though technically you're not supposed to).
expect BEER and FOOD. the little tents are all various vendors (even from santa cruz!) selling odds and ends. but BEER is always good here.
FOOD -- they had ALLIGATOR ON A STICK! it was sold out RIGHT before we got there... darn. apparently there is a LOT of different things you can do with asparagus. there is grilled corn on the cob -- yum! there were organic fries, that they were out of :(... and we had the beignets which were a long wait but pretty good!
there's live music, and if you grew up around here you're bound to run into friends and former classmates! campbell is a great, friendly town... but you might not get it. 3 stars in the big picture, but an appreciative 5 for my hometown from my heart. -
Review from Vi Y.
5/17/2009
Wow! I have never seen so many hot white chicks in one place. I guess the Asians and Mexicans chased them all out of dt San Jose, so they all came to Campbell to hide. It was like we were at an episode of 90210/The Hills or something like that. Definitely worth it if you were single and wanted to mingle.
As for us, it was too freakin hot, with not enough other stuff to offer. People were huddled around the shady areas, because it was so hot, and it was CROWDED, so you risked sweaty doods bumping into you.
We made it to 1 booth, and I had to throw in the towel. We ended up getting alligator on a stick and jambalaya ($20) and went to sit in the air conditioned car to eat. The alligator was yummy. Different than the other times I've tried it. No more chicken...it tasted like pork this time with tendon and all. The jambalaya was just rice and mashed potatoes mixed up with gravy over it. Nothing special, and really not worth $20 for both.
Tip for the alchi, yes you can sneak alchi in! :) Tips for the ladies....dress CUTE and hootchie....everyone else is doing it. :) It feels more like a day party than a street fair. -
Review from CampbellBatman B.
Campbell, CA
6/17/2008
Here's a video I took on the BOTB day.
http://www.youtube.com...
To me it's a delightful slice of 'Nawlins
come to play with us in Campell, ya'll...
Big-ups to ALL the enthusiastic people we met - ALL day...
little do they know they just met the real CampbellBatman -
Review from Juliana C.
San Jose, CA
5/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Got here at around 2pm on Sunday and didn't have too much trouble finding parking. Really appreciated that the beer was ice cold despite being served outside! All in all, not too much to see or do, but a fun excuse to day drink with the girls :).
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Review from Patricia A.
San Francisco, CA
5/18/2009
Very mellow crowd this time around and while the regular stupid white chicks decide to get drunk they were segregated away from the general population. Security was the tightest I have ever seen I think all 80 Campbell PD officers were on duty augmented by at least 50 security officers doing a pretty good job.
Unfortunately, I don't see or hear a lot of Southern items like what Diane R said so I wouldn't be surprised if this festival does not return equally I did not see a lot of money spent aside from the Cardiff or Sonoma Chicken Coop.
The weather was great, vendors were still enthusiastic, Parking was an absolute mess but that is to be expected.
A better idea move the Boogie to Memorial Day weekend and throw in a little more local flavor aside from the protests at Psycho Donuts. -
Review from Gina C.
Hayward, CA
6/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Nothing special.... Won't ever go back... Food was over priced and the music was non existent... Not happy at all, was expecting so much more!!!
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Review from Ann F.
Mountain View, CA
5/17/2009
If you like Cajun or Zydeco music, this is a great little local festival where you can catch some very talented local musicians. I enjoyed the Creole Bells with Andrew Carrier. Their sound is very traditional Cajun. Andrew is from Lake Charles Louisiana and I love to hear his Cajun accent. Motor Dude Zydeco followed the Bells. They sounded great as well.
Minus two stars, as the one thing that would make this festival better is shade and maybe a mister. There is little shade so dancing to these wonderful bands is extremely uncomfortable. It seems like every year it has been super hot and Campbell has done nothing to make the music dance areas more comfortable.
This year, they served beignets. Otherwise, the food is typical festival food. And this year, there were a few booths with a Mardi Gras like beads and masks. -
Review from JQ V.
Pittsburg, CA
5/19/2009 4 photos
Very hot day, serving hot spicy food, and a few hot bods for great sightseeing!
We had the alligator on a stick, pig in a sack, lobster crabcake, seafood gumbo, and jambalaya, all in about 20 minutes!
The festival itself did not showcase much southern style activities. I have been to a festival in New Orleans and this was far from authentic. The food was pretty good, but unfortunately it did not remind me of southern comfort food.
The crowd was definitely the main entertainment. Great sightseeing! But wtf! I didn't know this was a fashion show or a who's got the best bod contest! Totally reminded me of the festivals in college, where everyone dressed to impress even if it meant to be unpractical due to the weather! Upper 20's and 30's should be a sign of you just should not wear that kind of stuff at that age! -
Review from Sue Ann D.
Sacramento, CA
6/4/2008
(laughing and shaking my head)
what the hell? did I miss the memo on this festival? Let me explain...
So my friend called me up and asked if I wanted to join her for the afternoon, grab some food, walk around, etc. I had a busy morning, but agreed to join her. I was moving all day in a dusty storage place, was running errands around in the heat, so by the time I get up to Campbell I'm pretty much a mess.
Get up to the festival and feel like I've just stepped into a outdoor hoochie fest. WHAT. THE. HELL. Girls in barely there sundresses, tight tops, boobies hanging out, wedge heels, stilettos, big earrings, short skirts, and stilleto sandals. I look at my friend and we're like, wait did we miss the memo on dress code here? Me, in a CAL shirt, workout shorts, running shoes felt like I should've been begging for change on the street. Granted my clothes were accented by a Coach bag and Burberry sunglasses, but jesus! Felt completely out of place there.
The food booths were cool ,that's where some of the stars come from, but agree with the other yelpers, nothing too "bayouish", Funnel cakes, sandwiches, wraps, chicken kabobs, etc. The other booths were typical festival booths you normally see, jewlery stands, handmade crafts, etc. But I did not hear any jazz! The only music I heard was a band perfomring, "Brick House" while drunken housewives shook their asses and their embarrassed children tried to look away.
Since it's in downtown Campbell all the bars were jammed packed with people making it nearly impossible to walk through freely. Maybe next year I'll go back......with the "appropriate outfit" of course! And a lot more alcohol flowing through my system! -
Review from Jonathan S.
San Jose, CA
5/29/2009
Look, it's Campbell. They try really hard. But there are only so many vendors willing to set up a tent and sell chicken on a stick or toe rings in this town. Don't act surprised when all the festivals are the same. Just enjoy the fact that you can drink in the streets of downtown Campbell while the cops just watch. Then walk home. It's an awesome way to spend a Sunday.
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Review from Dan m.
Santa Clara, CA
1/14/2009
This is a fun festival. Don't get too caught up in the name. Obviously there is no Bayou in Downtown Campbell. Just look at this as a chance for public drunkeness. Lots of the usual food vendors that you could expect at an outdoor event. Some delicious chicken on a stick, Funnel cakes, Bratwurst etc. etc. Careful when buying beer tickets, because although that line is reasonable, the acutal line to get the Beer is usually beyond ridiculous. Any sort of street festival can be fun, so long as their is drinking allowed.
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Review from Ric A.
San Diego, CA
5/27/2010
brought here by friends i was visiting. all i heard was "beer festival" & i went as quickly as my friend could drive. unfortunately, instead of our inhibitions getting wasted, it was our time.
we had to purchase tickets to be able to try the different beers at each vendor. yes, 1 ticket = $5 = a small plastic cup of beer. $10 of beer later, i was as sober as when i came in & $10 in the red. after walking around for awhile & savoring every single drop of beer in our cups, we all decide to try out the food. now, with a theme/name like "boogie on the bayou", you'd expect an assortment of louisiana/creole/bayou food vendors. umm, i think i counted 3.
1st vendor i went to, i was excited to try the alligator on a stick. "sorry, we're out of the alligator on a stick." that's ok, ill go to this 2nd vendor & order the seafood jambalaya. "sorry, we're out of shrimp, no more orders of the seafood jambalaya." a little bummed, i get to my 3rd vendor, cross my fingers, & say a little prayer as i put an order in for the chicken cheesesteak. "we're out." i end up ordering a chicken teriyaki bowl...at a "bayou"-themed festival...for $8!
finally, wanting to lose our sobriety, we decide to get in line for one of the bars. after about half an hour in line, we get to the front & realize why we werent getting in. we werent wearing anything affliction or tapout-related clothing, nor did we have hulk hogan biceps. we get out of line & decide to head home, disappointed.
only positive of this festival? lots of eye candy -- meaning watching a handful of beautiful women stumble around drunk.
Boogie on the Bayou - FAIL. -
Review from sandy t.
San Jose, CA
3/30/2011
this is like any other festival in south bay ie arts n wine, except with alligator meat! n different music. the alligator meat was gamey. i wouldnt try it agen. n no crawfish. at least i didnt see a stand for it. it was nice to be out in nice weather n do something different. but its still not that different from any other street festivals. lol.
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Review from Candace D.
San Jose, CA
6/6/2009
This needs to be called the beer, bods, and craft festival...seriously. Nobody was boogying , and there surely wasn't any bayou. Speaking as a Lousiana bred, I was realistic in that this wasn't going to be 100% authentic but damn, if you title it as such, at least make a better effort to play the part!
Beer seemed to be the main attraction here since more people than not had a cup in their hand ,and the line to get it was LONG. Lots of guys in tank tops and shorts standing around chatting with beer in hand to be seen. Lots women with tramp stamps doing the slut strut, in their heels and skimpy outfits. Quite the sight for people watching that's for sure.
I saw maybe one booth serving Cajun and Creole style food that was overpriced, and all of other food vendors were what you would usually find at street festivals. Crafts vendors had the usual and some with interesting offerings, but again nothing that played into the "Bayou" theme. Oh wait, there were actually two booths that did. One with Mardi Gras masks and another with Mardi Gras beads... pathetic! The live music bands were "so so " and on a small stage set on an open lot between some buildings along the downtown strip.
Don't waste your time if you're expecting a festive Cajun/Creole/Lousiana style experiece.
Side note: I was trying hard ,well REALLY hard not to comment on the main food pic. What the heck is that, a burnt burger patty swimming in rice goop?! Say that was wasn't suppose to be authentic "bayou" food. Say it ain't so! -
Review from Mimi D.
5/23/2009
If you want a trashy experience, this is your chance. I went expecting it to be a New Orleans flavor fair and I got something similar to the Chili Cook-off in Thousand Oaks. The only bayou thing about this place was 1 stall selling fried gator meat on a stick and jambalaya. Otherwise pretty much every other stall was hawking beer for all of these men covered in tats, piercings and no shirts flirting with women covered with tats and wearing fewer clothes than on the beach with their cheap stilettos. I have nothing against tats - I have 2. If you like people like this, then this is your chance for a meet and greet. Otherwise there were about 200 vendors selling junk arts and crafts. There are some cool stores on the street that they closed off to hold this event so check those out on a normal day and during Boogie on the Bayou. There were also a couple of live acts, but nothing worth writing about.
