It's unclear what flooding in the South will do to the crawfish population. Some farmers say more water creates a longer catch season for the mudbugs, but scientists claim that high water levels reduce burrowing areas and make it easier for other fish to eat the freshwater crustaceans. Either way, there's still plenty to eat at the Crawfish & Shrimp Festival this weekend in the Backyard at theBeaumont Club (4050 Pennsylvania, 816-561-2560). Beginning at 5 p.m. today (and starting tomorrow at 2 p.m.), national and local food vendors, including David Luneau, owner of Baton Rouge, Louisiana's Jimbo's Seafood, serve up crawfish, shrimp, gumbo, jambalaya and other Cajun delights. Lake Charles, Louisiana, band Lil Malcolm and the Zydeco House Rockers and the local Blue Orleans perform both nights. Ernest James and Washboard Jo perform on Saturday. Tickets cost $5 a day. See crawfishandshrimpfestival.com for more information.
