Twenty-five years ago, a few friends got together for crawfish and music in a backyard.

Today, that crawfish boil has grown into Birmingham’s Schaeffer Eye Center Crawfish Boil. This weekend, about 50,000 people will gather for music, crawfish and food for the 25th anniversary of the event.

The crawfish boil will take place outside the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center arena in Birmingham.

The crawfish boil is a two-day festival, April 30 through May 1. Tickets are available in advance and come in one day passes as well as a weekend pass. Single-day advance tickets are $20, and weekend passes are $35. Fresh crawfish, potatoes and corn are available by purchasing a $10 plate.

In addition to crawfish, the Schaeffer Eye Center Crawfish Boil hosts a variety of artists throughout the weekend. Heading the festival is Alice in Chains. Other artists include Train, Akon, Goo Goo Dolls, Jay Sean, Jason Derulo, B-52s and the Rocket Summer.

“We’re really excited, because the line up this year is great.” Hart said.

For the past few years, the Red Mountain Production Company has organized the festival. The company has helped attract new artists, while maintaining a generally low ticket price.

“We have always made it a point to keep ticket prices low,” says Olivia Hart of the Red Mountain Production Company.

“My family goes every year, and we always enjoy it,” said Jenn Wirt, a freshman majoring in fashion merchandising and advertising.

Many of the annual attendees will find additions to the crawfish boil this year.

A VIP option is available through the purchase of a $75 ticket and provides “the best seats in the house for some of the concerts,” Hart said. A lounge area sponsored by TNT will be available for the VIP members.

The Ferris wheel sponsored by Coca-Cola will provide free rides so all who attend can look over the entire festival.

Attendees are encouraged to bring foldable chairs and blankets to sit down and listen to the music. While food and drinks are not allowed at the festival, there will be a series of vendors offering different types of food, in addition to crawfish.

The crawfish boil “looks like it’s going to be really good this year,” Wirt said. “With a variety of artists, it will be a fun weekend. There is always something for everyone at the crawfish boil.”

Information about the festival and a link to purchase tickets can be found online at www.schaeffercrawfishboil.com and on the Schaeffer Crawfish Boil Facebook page.

“You wouldn’t want to miss the biggest music event in the area.” Hart said. “So this weekend, come out and have a good time.”