After the devastating flood during the hard freeze in December 2022, the oldest restaurant in downtown Sewanee had to close for three months, for renovations. It was during that time that Bill Elder, the seventh owner of Shenanigans, had a thought.

“What holiday should Shenanigans just ‘own?’ Well, considering the definition of the word, Shenanigans, it was a no-brainer!” And April Fool Fest began to take shape. Elder recalls he turned and saw the New Orleans Jazz Fest poster hanging in the dining room, and everything just clicked. “That was the first Jazz Fest I saw as a child. I wanted to bring that type of festival and energy to Sewanee. I wanted to do what I could to get as close to the Jazz Fest’s loose vibe for a good time as I could.”

The inaugural April Fool Fest at Shenanigans was on April 1, 2023, which coincided with the grand reopening of the downstairs dining area.

This year, the third annual April Fool Fest and Crawfish Boil will be from 3–11:30 p.m. CDT, on Saturday, April 5. Tickets are available on eventbrite at <https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a...;. The menu consists of crawfish, andouille sausage, corn and potatoes. Boiled shrimp may be added to the menu Elder hinted, and other, well, shenanigans up his sleeve. Elder recommends getting your tickets early.

In addition to games on the lawn, there will be four bands this year. Live music starts at 4 p.m.

Easy Honey is the headliner. An on-campus favorite, Easy Honey started playing in Sewanee. The band honed their live show at college parties and took their batch of songs to record in Nashville. The group has since blossomed, infusing its singer-songwriter folk roots with an original blend of East Coast surf-rock, catalyzed by the band’s relocation to the up and coming Charleston, S.C. music scene.

Rounding out the line up are The Criticals, a Nashville based rock band; the Diamond Street Players from Atlanta, featuring boogaloo music with organ and bass; and the Aces Brass Band, composed of members from the Dynamites, with New Orleans style music.

Come for the food, play the games, enjoy the music and expect other Shenanigans style April Foolery.

Lunch will be served that day until 2:30 p.m. The regular dinner menu will not be offered that day.

Shenanigans is located at 12595 Sollace M. Freeman Hwy., Sewanee. For more information go to <http://www.shenanigans1974.com...;.