Schaeffer Eye Center Crawfish Boil
The Schaeffer Eye Center Crawfish Boil is an annual music festival sponsored by Schaeffer Eye Center. It was begun in 1986 as a backyard party hosted by former HealthSouth executive and Shreveport native Aaron Beam. It soon outgrew the Beam's home and over the years the event has grown and moved several times.
1986
The first Beam's Crawfish Boil is held at the home of Aaron and Phyllis Beam with invited guests enjoying 50 pounds of crawfish.
1994
In 1994, Beam partnered with Jack Schaeffer, marking the first Schaeffer Eye Center Beam's Crawfish Boil. The festival was held in the Lakeview district and donations totalling $15,0000 were raised for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
1995
UAB's Comprehensive Cancer Center becomes the second official beneficiary and a suggested $2 donation is requested.
1997
15,000 pounds of crawfish prepared by festival chef Barry Gerald.
1998
The inaugural "Crawfish Crawl" 5K run has 300 participants. George Rodrigue creates the first of three "Blue Dog" posters for the event.
1999
The festival is moved from Lakeview to Pepper Place and raised $100,000 for charity.
2000
The festival moves again, this time to the site of the future Railroad Reservation Park at 1st Avenue South and 17th Street. 20,000 pounds of crawfish are prepared for 51,000 attendees.
2001
Aaron Beam ends his association with the event, which is renamed the Schaeffer Eye Center Crawfish Boil and held on May 12.
2002
The 2002 Crawfish Boil, headlines by Tonic, benefitted Camp Smile-A-Mile, and the Tanner Center for Multiple Sclerosis.
2003
For the first time the event expands to two days with 17 performing acts. The event actually lost money as rain swamped the event on the first night during a performance by the Village People In addition to the 2002 beneficiaries, festival proceeds were to be shared with the Birmingham Junior League.
2004
Clear Channel-owned Pace Concerts comes on board as manager of the festival. Ticket prices go up, but so does the popularity of the performers. Record crowds turn out for Sister Hazel, Cowboy Mouth and Collective Soul on May 7 & 8.
2005
Once again, record attendance as 40,000 turn out for Seether, Shinedown, The Wallflowers, Drivin' n Cryin', Tonic and Hootie and the Blowfish. Proceeds went to Camp Smile-A-Mile, Magic Moments and Lyrics for Life. A $5,000 donation is given to Camp Smile-A-Mile from the proceeds.
2006
The event, officially owned by the "Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation" is produced by Red Mountain Entertainment. Performers include People in Planes, Gin Blossoms, Cowboy Mouth, Sister Hazel, Blues Traveler, American Minor, Sanders Bohike, Jason Mraz, P.U.S.A., Better than Ezra, P.O.D. and Live on May 5 & 6. The Festival's main beneficiary is to be Camp Smile-A-Mile.