2theadvocate.com | Entertainment | Fall fairs and festivals

By BY LISA TRAMONTANA, JUDY BERGERON, CYNTHIA CAMPBELL AND GEORGE MORRIS
News Features staff writers
Published: Sep 12, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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The fall festival season is here, and that means food, fun, live music, arts and crafts, street dances, fireworks, cook-offs, carnival rides and more across south Louisiana.

Enter a drumstick-eating contest at the Chicken Festival in Dubach. Or sample the sausage and sauerkraut at the Roberts Cove Germanfest. Enjoy a few animal encounters at the Swamp Festival in New Orleans. And take a seat in the stadium to watch the “guts’n glory contest” at the Angola Prison Rodeo.

Celebrate Cajun and Creole food and music at Festivals Acadiens in Lafayette. Try your hand at the cracklin’ competition at the Boucherie Festival in Sorrento. And meet nobles, knights and barons at the Renaissance Festival outside of Hammond.

The list goes on.

So take a look at the festivals described here, pack up the family and check out what Louisiana has to offer.

Sept. 19-20

JEFFERSON DAVIS PARISH FESTIVAL: Grand Marais Courtyard, Jennings. Stir up a batch of your favorite barbecue sauce, light the pit … and don’t forget your dancin’ shoes. It’s a first-time event that combines a music festival with a barbecue cook-off. (337) 821-5534.

Sept. 20

ANNUAL FALL FEST & STICK HORSE RODEO: BREC’s Farr Park, River Road. Children age 2 to 10 are encouraged to bring their stick horses and come ready to participate in the Fall Fest activities, which begin at 9 a.m. The day includes a petting zoo, pony rides, hayrides, face painting and games for the family. A costume contest will also be held. (225) 769-7805.

LES CADIENS DU TECHE CAJUN MUSIC FESTIVAL: 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Cyr Gates Community Center, 300 Parkview Drive, New Iberia. Music, food, arts and crafts, door prizes. (888) 942-3742.

Now through Nov. 17

FALL 2008 BAYOU FILM SERIES: Bayou Bijou Theater, University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Show times are 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on the following dates — Sept. 22, Sept. 29, Oct. 6, Oct. 13, Oct. 20, Oct. 27, Nov. 3, Nov. 10, Nov. 17. The program is dedicated to bringing provocative, adventurous and exciting films from throughout the world to the Lafayette community. (337) 482-6940.

Sept. 24-28

LOUISIANA SUGAR CANE FESTIVAL: Sugar Cane Festival Building, City Park, Parkview Drive, New Iberia, and various locations in town. The festival kicks off at 5 p.m. Wednesday with family night on the midway. A fais-dodo takes place Thursday in Bouligny Plaza and the king’s reception starts at 8 p.m. Friday activities include 4-H sugar cookery contest awards, garden and flower show, art show, photography show; annual boat parade begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by fireworks. More of the same on Saturday, with dancing in the street 5:30 p.m.-midnight. Headliners will be Broken Mo-Jeaus, T. K. Hulin, Steve Adams and Smoke. Sunday opens with Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. Louisiana Sugar Parade rolls at 2 p.m. along Main Street. (337) 369-9323 or visit http://www.hisugar.org.

Sept. 26-27

LOUISIANA CHICKEN FESTIVAL: Main Street, downtown Dubach. Photography contest, arts and crafts booths, games, street dancing with the Michael Hattaway Band, a quilt show, health fair, drumstick-eating contest, boiled egg-eating contest, barbecue chicken cooking contest, run for the roost 5K run and parade. A gospel music concert is planned for 3:30 p.m. Saturday. (318) 777-1964.

JIM BOWIE FESTIVAL: Vidalia. This event commemorates the 1827 duel between Dr. Thomas Maddox and Samuel Levi Well III. The duel gave birth to the legend of Jim Bowie. In addition to a re-enactment of the infamous “Sandbar Duel,” there will be a barbecue competition, pageant, live bands, fishing tournament, artists and a street dance. Visit http://www.vidaliala.com/bowie.htm

Sept. 27

ST. HELENA PARISH FOREST FESTIVAL: Greensburg Park, South Third Street. Wild game cook-off, dance, live music, children’s games, arts and crafts, food, “woodsman of the year” contest. (225) 222-6132.

HUNTING AND FISHING DAY: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Waddill Outdoor Education Center, 4142 Flannery Road in Baton Rouge. Activities include clinics on hunting, fishing, canoeing and target shooting with BB guns and bows and arrows. There will also be a fishing contest, as well as demonstrations by experts in several fields. Louisiana game and seafood dishes. Free admission. Sponsored by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. (225) 765-2465.

Oct. 1-31

FANFARE: various locations, but primarily the Southeastern Louisiana University campus and Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, downtown Hammond. The month-long festival of the arts, humanities and sciences will be highlighted by performances of The Kite Runner, Oct. 13; Hodding Carter III, Oct. 16; Elisa Monte Dance, Oct. 20, Robert Cray Band, Oct. 24, and U.S. Air Force Concert Band and Singing Sargents Oct. 25. Also look for music concerts, lectures, art exhibits and a foreign film series. (985) 543-4366 or http://www.columbiatheatre.org

Oct. 3-5

ST. THERESA OF AVILA FESTIVAL OF FRIENDS: 6-10:30 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Sunday, St. Theresa of Avila School, Gonzales. Rides, championship cooks, food, children’s games, silent auction, country store, fun run, live music. (225) 647-2803.

Oct. 4

DENHAM SPRINGS ANTIQUES VILLAGE FALL FESTIVAL: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., North Range Avenue, downtown Denham Springs. Family fun, safety demonstration, food, entertainment, arts and crafts, antiques, etc. (225) 665-5551.

LOUISIANA BOOK FESTIVAL: 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m., State Library of Louisiana area, downtown Baton Rouge. This 6th annual event will feature more than 125 authors discussing their books, a Young Readers Pavilion, food and music, workshops, exhibits and much more. (225) 342-4922.

29TH ANNUAL ST. LUKE’S EPISCOPAL ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 8833 Goodwood Blvd. The event features handmade works by at least 100 artists and craftspeople from several southern states. Food and drinks will also be on sale. (225) 926-5343.

SHADOWS ON THE TECHE ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Shadows on the Teche, 317 E. Main St., New Iberia. Arts and crafts vendors, demonstrations by Louisiana artists, tours of the plantation and gardens, concessions. (337) 369-6446.

HUNGARIAN HARVEST DANCE CELEBRATION: 5-11 p.m., American Legion Hall, Hwy. 43, Springfield. Music, food and entertainment. Enjoy cabbage rolls, sausage po-boys, cabbage noodles and other Hungarian delights. Dance to Ernie Breaux and his Poo-Yai band. (225) 209-2345.

Oct. 4-5

CONGO SQUARE RHYTHMS FESTIVAL: Louis Armstrong Park, New Orleans. New event that celebrates the history and cultural significance of Congo Square by bringing music, dance, food and crafts to the cobblestone plaza within Louis Armstrong Park. (504) 558-6100.

RURAL LIFE HARVEST DAYS: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. both days, LSU Rural Life Museum, I-10 at Essen Lane. Living history demonstrations will take visitors back to 19th century life on Louisiana farms and plantations. Watch syrup making, spinning, weaving, open hearth cooking, candle making, plowing and corn grinding. Admission $5 per person. Children under age 5 free. (225) 765-2437.

HILLTOP PLANTFEST!: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, noon-4 p.m. Sunday, Hilltop Arboretum, 11855 Highland Road. Plantfest! will feature a huge collection of native and hard-to-find plants. Proceeds benefit educational programs of the Arboretum. (225) 767-6916 or http://www.lsu.edu/hilltop.

ROBERTS COVE GERMANFEST: St. Leo IV Catholic Church, Roberts Cove. Traditional German foods such as sausage, potatoes, sauerkraut and desserts, cultural activities, folklore, music, dancing and more. Entertainment includes Alpenfet and Alpenmusikanten, Kinder Auftrit and others. And don’t miss the exhibits at the German Heritage Museum. http://www.robertscovegermanfest.com

Oct. 4-11

LIVINGSTON PARISH FAIR: Fair grounds, Livingston. Pageants, parade, food, live music, horse show, midway rides, spelling bee, rodeo, exhibits and more. (225) 686-1333.

Oct. 5

SUGARFEST: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., West Baton Rouge Museum, 845 N. Jefferson Ave., Port Allen. Visitors can join the celebration of the sugarcane harvest. Planned are family-oriented activities, food, live music, exhibits, tours, historic craft demonstrations, mule driven cane grinding, syrup making, sweets contest, cake walk, chewing sugarcane samples, petting zoo, sugar train rides and more. Admission is free. (225) 336-2422.

LATIN FESTIVAL: 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Catholic Deaf Center, 2585 Brightside Drive. Latin foods, folk dances, pageants, raffles, Latin music, silent auction, games, children’s activities and more. Benefits the Hispanic Apostolate of the Diocese of Baton Rouge. Admission $3, free for children under age 13. (225) 927-8700.

Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26

ANGOLA PRISON RODEO: Louisiana State Penitentiary, Angola. For the 44th year, the “Wildest Show in the South” will entertain visitors each Sunday in October. The public can watch inmate cowboys compete in convict poker, wild cow milking, bull riding and the well-known guts-n-glory contest. There will also be bands, food, inmate arts and crafts available for sale, jewelry, leather craft, paintings, woodwork, lawn and garden furniture and toys. For the kids, there are pony rides, space walks, carnival games and more. Gates open at 9 a.m.; show starts at 2 p.m.; crafts open until 5 p.m. Tickets are $10. To order tickets, call (225) 655-2030, (225) 655-2607 or (225) 655-2042. For more information, go to http://www.angolarodeo.com.

Oct. 7-12

LOUISIANA COTTON FESTIVAL & LE TOURNOI DE LA VILLE PLATTE: Ville Platte hosts this popular festival with plenty of Cajun music, food and fun in this still-very-French part of our state. There is a fais do do on Friday night and a parade Sunday at noon, which is followed by Le Tournoi, which involves ‘knights’ jousting on horseback with lances. Contact the Ville Platte Chamber of Commerce at (337) 363-1878 or visit http://www.evangelinetourism.com.

Oct. 10-12

NATCHITOCHES PILGRIMAGE: various locations, Natchitoches. The Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches presents its annual fall tour of homes, this time celebrating the 20th anniversary of the movie Steel Magnolias. Among the houses on the tour are the Samuel Guy House, Blessed House, Lemee House, Ducournau Townhouse, Melrose Plantation, Oakland Plantation, Cherokee Plantation and the Steel Magnolia House. Headquarters will be the Lemee House, 310 Rue Jefferson. Individual tours are $15 per person and discount packages are available. Candlelight Tour is 7-9 p.m. Friday, Town Tour is 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Cane River Country Tour hours 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. (800) 259-1714 or http://www.natchitochesfalltour.com.

SUNSHINE FESTIVAL: Old Louisiana State Fairgrounds, Donaldsonville. Midway rides are the big draw of this family-friendly festival. Also look for games, and other entertainment and food. (225) 473-4814.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GUMBO COOK-OFF & GUMBO COOK-OFF FOOD FESTIVAL, Bouligny Plaza, Main Street, New Iberia. Fais do do, Friday 7-10 p.m.; food festival, Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; gumbo cook-off, Sunday 9 a.m.-4 p.m., music, refreshments. (337) 364-1836 or http://www.iberiachamber.org

ST. ISIDORE OCTOBERFEST FAIR: St. Isidore Catholic Church, corner of Plank and Thomas roads. Open 6-11 p.m. Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday, and 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Live music including Run Jane Run on Friday night and Bring It on Saturday night. Food, auction, raffles, midway rides, bingo, horseshoe tournament, chicken and sausage gumbo and chicken and sausage jambalaya cook-offs, buffet on Sunday. (225) 775-8850.

FESTIVALS ACADIENS: Lafayette. (800) 346-1958 or http://www.festivalsacadiens.com. Packed with food, entertainment and other events, the Creole/Cajun celebration is actually several festivals rolled into one, including:
1. LOUISIANA CRAFT FAIR: Girard Park is the setting Saturday and Sunday for this fair of traditional and fine artists and craftspeople demonstrating and selling everything from stained glass and jewelry to pottery, sculpture and photography.
2. BAYOU FOOD FESTIVAL: In Girard Park, Saturday and Sunday, with a variety of regional foods, including fried soft-shell crab, seafood and artichoke lasagna, barbecue boudin, crawfish fettuccine, corn and crab bisque, meat pies, catfish courtbouillion, wild game jambalaya, bread pudding, pralines and a lot more as the area’s best restaurants turn out.
3. FESTIVAL DE MUSIQUE ACADIENNE: In Girard Park, Saturday and Sunday, the fest features Louisiana Cajun and zydeco bands drawing crowds from all over. The tentative slate of performers includes: Jesse Lege and the Southern Ramblers, Feufollet, Geno Delafose, Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, Wayne Toups, Savoy Family Band, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Pineleaf Boys and others. Look for musicians at the festival stages and in the Louisiana Folk Roots tent.

BOUCHERIE FESTIVAL: Reynolds Lambert Park, Ascension Civic Center, Airline Highway, Sorrento. This 31st annual festival celebrates the Cajun Boucherie with activities including the Crackling Cooking World Championship competition, dancing to live music, a pageant, Cajun food and rides. Hosted by the Sorrento Lions Club, proceeds go to Lions Club programs, including the Crippled Children’s Camp. Hours will be 6 p.m.-midnight, Friday; 10 a.m.-midnight, Saturday; and 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday. (225) 675-8515 or (888) 675-6550.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GUMBO COOK-OFF & GUMBO COOK-OFF FOOD FESTIVAL: Bouligny Plaza, Main St., New Iberia. Fais do do, 7- 10 p.m. Friday; food festival, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; gumbo cook-off, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Music, food and more. (337) 364-1836 or http:// www.iberiachamber.org.

Oct. 11

SLAUGHTER CIVIC CLUB ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL: Slaughter Town Hall. Health walk, arts and crafts, games for children of all ages, clown, face painting, hourly drawings, music and entertainment, food and drinks, and more. Hours are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (225) 654-7200.

Oct. 11-12

OLDIES BUT GOODIES FEST AND SMOKIN‘ OLDIES COOK-OFF: noon-7 p.m. both days, grounds of the West Baton Rouge Tourist Information & Conference Center, 2750 N. Westport Drive, Port Allen. The cook-off is Saturday, and the festival is Sunday. Benefit for the St. Jude Dream Day Foundation. (225) 344-2920.

Oct. 15

ATAKAPAS TRADE DAYS: Longfellow Evangeline State Historic Site, St. Martinville. Demonstrations on open-fire cooking, blacksmithing, leather working, and firing of black-powder weapons. Free school programs. Regular admission is $2 for ages 13-61; free for children and seniors. (337) 394-3754.

Oct. 15-18

WASHINGTON PARISH FAIR: Parish Fairgrounds, Franklinton. The event features a parade, carnival midway, rodeo, queen’s contest, baby contest, exhibits, musical entertainment, livestock show, fine arts, photography, youth exhibits, crafts, food, children’s activities and playground, and authentic pioneer village. (985) 335-7717.

Oct. 16-19

INTERNATIONAL RICE FESTIVAL: Parkerson Ave., (La. 13) downtown Crowley. Live entertainment on the new Louisiana Rice Mill Sound Stage by Johnny Lee, Jeff Bates, John Conlee, Kira Viator & Bayou Beat, Leon Chavis, L’Angelus, Terry & Zydeco Bad Boys, Nik L Beer and Wayne Toups. Also, rice contests, arts and crafts, children’s and grand parades, and street dance. Sunday is Family Fun Day, with carnival rides set up but no other events or street vendors. (337) 783-3067 or http://www.ricefestival.com

Oct. 17-18

ANDOUILLE FESTIVAL: behind St. John Community Center, 2900 La. 51, LaPlace. Pageants, food, music, arts and crafts, and rides. Live entertainment all weekend. http://www.sjbparish.com.

Oct. 17-19

INTERNATIONAL ACADIAN FESTIVAL: C.M. “Mike” Zito Multi-Purpose Center grounds, La. 75, Plaquemine. The event will offer plenty of festival food along with gumbo, jambalaya, sauce piquant and fried seafood. Arts and crafts, games, rides, bands, and more. (225) 687-6483 or http://www.acadianfestival.org.

Oct. 18-19

OAK ALLEY PLANTATION ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Oak Alley Plantation. Arts and crafts, children’s activities, tours of the mansion, pony rides, petting zoo, and festival foods, including funnel cakes, shrimp on a stick, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, bloomin’ onions, turkey legs, crab cakes and more. (225) 265-2151.

WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL: Madisonville. One-of-a-kind artwork and crafts, regional cuisine, boatbuilding contest and race, children’s village, musical entertainment, classic car show. Hundreds of boats gather on the Tchefuncte River for the event. (985) 845-9200 or http://www.woodenboatfest.org

OLD FARMERS DAY: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily on the Todd Brunett Dairy Farm, 2.25 miles north of Loranger. Syrup making, wagon rides, pony rides, petting zoo, farming demonstrations, Civil War encampment, food, crafts, horse and mule pulling contests and much more. (985) 878-2360 or http://www.oldfarmersday.com

Oct. 18-19, 25-26

BOO AT THE ZOO: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (gates close at 4 p.m.), BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo, 3601 Thomas Road. The event promises a “merry not scary” trick-or-treating experience with treat stations, hay maze, a spooky train ride, the popular Boo Den, and the zoo’s Cave of Wonders. Wear your costume. (225) 775-3877.

Oct. 23-26

YAMBILEE FESTIVAL: Yambilee Grounds, U.S. 190, west of Opelousas. Carnival, yam cooking competitions, marketplace, arts and crafts, farmers market, parade, live music, etc. (337) 948-8848 or visit http://www.yambilee.com.

Oct. 23-Nov. 2

GREATER BATON ROUGE STATE FAIR: BREC’s Airline Highway Park/Fairgrounds, Baton Rouge. Attractions include special events, carnival midway, food booths, and live music featuring Phat Hat, Lil Ray Neal, Tout Les Soir, Bayou Bucket Revival Band with special guest Bernie Paul, Kane Glaze and the Kane Glaze Band, the Fabulous Bagasse Boyz, Dash Rip Rock, Vivas, the Anteeks, the Andy Smith Band, Vince Vance and the Valiants, and many others. (225) 755-FAIR or http://www.gbrsf.com.

Oct. 24

FAMILY FALL FEST: 6-8:30 p.m., Goodwood Church of Christ. Fun and games for all ages. (225) 272-8936.

Oct. 24-26

ANNUAL TAILGATING COOK-OFF AND FAIS-DO-DO, Loreauville Park, 601 Ed Broussard Rd, Loreauville. Sunday Cajun tailgating cook-off, food, live music, refreshments, rag ball tournament, antique car show. (337) 380-5216.

FRENCH FOOD FESTIVAL: LaRose Regional Park, off La. 308. The old-fashioned food festival will again offer Cajun cooking, folklife, music and dancing. Local specialty dishes will be for sale at decorated food booths. (985) 693-7355.

Oct. 25

ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL: Grace Lutheran Church, 422 Valhi Blvd., Houma. Live Christian music, rummage sale, silent auction, arts and crafts, cakewalk, children’s games, plate lunches, snacks, children’s activities. (985) 879-1865.

Oct. 25-26

ANNUAL YELLOW LEAF ARTS FESTIVAL: downtown St. Francisville. Artists will show and sell their works, including paintings, jewelry, glass, soaps, photography, pottery and more. Go to http://www.stfrancisvillefestivals.com or (225) 635-3665.

Oct. 26

FEAST ON THE LEVEE: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 402 S. Kirkland Dr., River Road, Brusly. Great food, children’s activities, spacewalk, Euro jump, cake-baking contest, country store, bingo, silent auction, raffles and more. Live music by Penalty Box from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and Foret Tradition 2:30-6:30 p.m. (225) 749-2189.

HALLO FEST ENTERTAINMENT, New Iberia City Park, 300 Parkview. Live entertainment, trick-or-treating, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (337) 224-3748 or (337) 369-9156.

NEW IBERIA LIONS CLUB HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL, New Iberia City Park, 300 Parkview, New Iberia. Games, food, drinks and costume contest from noon to 3 p.m. (888) 942-3742, http://www.iberiatravel.com

Oct. 31, Nov. 1-2

ST. LOUIS KING OF FRANCE PARISH FAIR: 2121 N. Sherwood Forest Blvd. Food, fun and fellowship, carnival midway, games, raffles, live music Friday and Saturday night. Hours are 6-10 p.m. Friday, noon-9 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. All-you-can-ride specials each day. (225) 275-7280.

Nov. 1

SOUTHDOWN MARKETPLACE: 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Southdown Plantation, 1208 Museum Drive, Houma. Unique handcrafted items, jewelry, furniture, pottery, paintings, woodcrafts, books by local authors, home-grown plants and flowers, Cajun cuisine, tours of the plantation, etc. (985) 851-0154.

ANNUAL HARVEST MOON FESTIVAL: downtown Franklin. Live music, teen activities, antiques, hot rod, classic car and motorcycle show, concessions, vendors, arts and crafts, etc. (985) 395-4905 or http://www.cajuncoast.com.

Nov. 1-2

GIANT OMELETTE CELEBRATION: historic downtown Abbeville on Magdalen Square. A unique family event highlighted by the cooking of a 5,000-egg omelette. Enjoy musical entertainment, children’s activities and more. Artists, come join the festivities and exhibit and sell your artwork. The giant omelette is served about 2 p.m. Sunday. Contact http://www.giantomelette.org.

LOUISIANA SWAMP FEST: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Audubon Zoo, 6500 Magazine St., New Orleans. Wild fun for all ages, featuring Cajun cuisine, crafts and entertainment, children’s activities, storytelling, animal encoun-ters, and more. (504) 581-4629.

PONCHATOULA ANTIQUE TRADE DAYS AND CRAFT FAIR: Two days of antiques and collectibles, arts and craft booths, food and live music. Located in the historic downtown district. (985) 386-2536 or visit http://www.ponchatoulachamber.com.

Nov. 1-Dec. 7 (weekends)

LOUISIANA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL: one mile north of Hammond High School on River Road, off U.S. 190, Hammond. Meet peasants, nobles, knights, barons, and of course the reigning Queen at this festival, which runs for six consecutive weekends. Live joust tournaments, birds of prey demonstrations, sword play, royal parades, English village, magicians, rope walkers, fire eaters and more. (985) 429-9992 or http://www.larf.org.

Nov. 8-9

DESTREHAN PLANTATION ANNUAL FALL ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. both days, Destrehan Plantation, River Road, Destrehan. Arts and crafts, Cajun and Creole foods, period craft demonstrations, antiques and collectibles, tours of the plantation house, pony rides, children’s activities. Admission $7 for adults and teens, free for children age 12 and under. (985) 764-9315 or http://www.destrehanplantation.org.

Nov. 13-16

PORT BARRE CRACKLIN’ FESTIVAL: Veterans Memorial Park, Port Barre. Thursday night family rides, Friday night bands, Saturday parade, cracklin’ cooking contests, carnival rides, music and Cajun food, Sunday band performances. (337) 585-6251.

Nov. 14-15

LYDIA CAJUN FOOD FEST: New Iberia, Lydia Park, cook-off, music, food, arts and crafts all day. (337) 365-5577.

Nov. 14-16

HIGHLAND GAMES OF LOUISIANA: Jackson. Live entertainment all weekend featuring Scottish fiddler John Taylor, bluegrass fiddler Garrett “Doc” McCutchen, Cajun fiddler Gina Forsyth and Smithfield Fair. On Saturday, visitors will enjoy athletic competitions, bagpipe competitions, Highland dance contests, sheepdog demonstration, children’s village and much more. Sunday is reserved for Kirkin’ of the Tartan at Jackson Presbyterian Church (225) 927-2944.


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