LIVERPOOL, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Seasonal festivities begin this weekend with the Syracuse Crawfish Festival. Volunteers with Operation Northern Comfort are busy preparing for the annual event, which raises funds for the organization's work supporting areas affected by natural disasters.
The family-friendly fun event kicks off at Clinton Square on Saturday, May 5 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with delicious food and great music. Cajun food is always a top seller at festivals, but many people don't realize that the man who makes Cajun food has a special story that started in Oklahoma more than 15 years ago.
“I'm the executive chef of something called Remington Park, which is our nation's largest racetrack and casino,” said Steve Juhl of Oklahoma City.
In Oklahoma City, he is known as “Chef Steve.” But this weekend he returned to his adopted hometown of Salt City.
“Since then, we've been coming every year just for this crawfish festival that takes place the first weekend of May every year,” Jules said.
The Crawfish Festival is held annually by Operation Northern Comfort, an organization he is close to.
“They called me and said they needed someone to cook Cajun food, and they only knew one guy, and that was me,” Jules said.
Nearly seven years ago, he got a call from a volunteer there. His friendship with Jules dates back to 2008, when members of Operation Northern Comfort traveled from Syracuse to Oklahoma to help clean up after a deadly tornado struck.
“Operation Northern Comfort does great nonprofit work with veterans and across the country. They frequently travel to New Orleans where they help with floods, tornadoes, and those ongoing issues. We feel absolutely obligated to do so, so why don't we do it?'' Juul said.
Jules gave back by volunteering her time and money.
“They came to us too. Why wouldn't I come back and try to help them? This is their biggest fundraiser of the year to promote and support them, so they I will participate in anything that is asked of me without question,” Juhl said.
Jules said she shows consideration for others every time she serves crawfish, and it's a tradition that will continue for years to come.
Click here for more information on this year's Crawfish Festival.
