You\u2019ll find world-famous cuisine \u2014 gumbo, jambalaya, etoufee, world-class barbecue, German cuisine, and the much-loved carnival midway standbys: funnel cake, corn\u00a0 dogs, hot dogs and burgers.<\/p>\n
Browse the numerous booths offering unique arts and crafts. Find one-of-a-kind paintings, sculptures, jewelry and more. See demonstrations by local artisans \u2014 from sculptors to woodworkers to weavers. Go back in time to the Medeival period as knights joust for the love of their ladies; jesters perform in the aisles; and gentlemen and ladies in period costume walk the aisles with roasted turkey legs in hand. Catch the color, pageantry and excitment of a hot air balloon competition; then take a tethered ride in one. Watch historical reenactments.<\/p>\n
Dance to the best Cajun, Zydeco and swamp pop music you\u2019ll hear anywhere. Play games of chance. Feel like a kid again as you take to the air on the biggest, baddest carnival rides.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s something for everyone at SWLA festivals. And fall is the festival season in SWLA; it\u2019s when you\u2019ll find the state\u2019s biggest and most popular events.<\/p>\n
Get ready for dancing, eating and just passin\u2019 a good time. Here\u2019s a quick run-down of some of the season\u2019s biggest and best events to help you plan your fun-filled fall.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Delcambre Shrimp\u00a0Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Aug. 13-17 \u2022\u00a0Shrimp Festival Grounds \u2022\u00a0Delcambre, La. \u2022\u00a0337-685-2653 \u2022\u00a0shrimpfestival.net<\/p>\n Delcambre is home to one of the state\u2019s most productive shrimping fleets, and each year the town celebrates this big industry with one of the state\u2019s biggest festivals. This year, there will be access by boat, with docking available at the new North Pier Marin, just three blocks south of the festival grounds. Activities will include a shrimp cook-off; food booths with a wide variety of shrimp dishes, as well as hamburgers and hot dogs; carnival rides; a blessing of the fleet; a fishermen\u2019s Mass; pageants and a fais-do-do.<\/p>\n Live entertainment will feature DJ Homer Stelly, Krossfyre, Beau Young, Jamie Bergeron and the Kickin\u2019 Cajuns, Kyle Wooton, Tracy Lawrence, Frank Foster, Wayne Toups, T.K. Hulin and Smoke, Willie T., Warren Storm and G.G. Shin.<\/p>\n Admission is free Wed., Thurs. and Sun.; gate fee is $5 on Friday and $10 on Saturday. Kids 12 and younger admitted for free.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Le Cajun French Music Awards Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Aug. 14-16 \u2022\u00a0Rayne Civic Center \u2022\u00a0cajunfrenchmusic.org<\/p>\n The Cajun French Music Association sponsors this three-day event celebrating the rich history and importance of Cajun music in Southwest Louisiana.<\/p>\n The festival kicks off on Aug. 14 with a French speaking contest and chapter awards show in Breaux Bridge, and continues Aug. 15 with the Le Cajun Music Awards show at the Rayne Civic Center. Performing at the ceremony will be Jackie Caillier, Ivy Dugas and the Cajun Cousins. Doors open at 5:30\u00a0 pm, and the ceremony begins at 7 pm.<\/p>\n The dance festival on Saturday, Aug. 16, will include craft booths and Creole food. There\u2019ll also, of course, be a full line-up of some of the best Cajun musicians around, including Jesse Brown and Choupique, Lee Benoit and the Bayou Stompers, Briggs Brown, Jr. Hebert and the Maurice Playboys, Chris Miller and Bayou Roots, and Donny Broussard and the LA Stars.<\/p>\n Admission is $7 for the performance on Friday, and $10 for the festival on Saturday. Kids 12 and younger are admitted free to all events.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Arts and Crabs Fest<\/strong><\/p>\n Aug. 16, 5-8 pm \u2022\u00a0Lake Charles Civic Center \u2022\u00a0337-439-2787 \u2022\u00a0artsandhumanitiesswla.org<\/p>\n This festival brings together the\u00a0 food, music and art of SWLA. With a $25 ticket, visitors can enjoy a crab and beer\u00a0 tasting that features dishes from area restaurants. The dishes will be paired with Louisiana craft beers. There will also be live music, art displays and cultural activities. Proceeds support the Arts Council\u2019s programs and services.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Gueydan Duck Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Aug. 21-24 \u2022\u00a0Duck Festival Park, Gueydan duckfestival.org \u2022\u00a0email: info@DuckFestival.org<\/p>\n Gueydan is called the Duck Capital of America, and the town celebrates that rich tradition and heritage with a long weekend of activities, including carnival rides, parades, a family night with free admission, skeet shooting, duck decoy carving and painting demonstrations, duck and goose calling contests, dog trials, pageants (including a senior pageant) and an outdoor cook-off.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Shrimp and\u00a0Petroleum Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Aug. 28-Sept. 1 \u2022\u00a0downtown Morgan City, La. \u2022\u00a0985-385-0703 \u2022\u00a0shrimpandpetroleum.org<\/p>\n The state\u2019s oldest chartered harvest festival, this event celebrates the two major industries in South Louisiana with five days of activities and entertainment for the whole family.<\/p>\n Activities will include a carnival, a cultural heritage expo, a blessing of the fleet ceremony, a Mass, a fireworks show, a dessert contest, arts and crafts shows and sales, a golf tournament, a fishing tournament, a car show, a poker run, a 5 K run\/walk, a fireworks show and a children\u2019s activity village.<\/p>\n Music lineup includes Tommy G and Stormy Weather, Drunk Punch Ponies, Supercharger, At Fault, Velvet Sky, Snapper and the Fishsticks, Voodoo Gumbo, Chubby Carrier, Brasher\/Bogue, Frontiers, Mojeaux, Amanda Shaw, South 70, the Hal Bruni Band, and Kevin Naquin and the Ossun Playboys.<\/p>\n Admission is free.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0SWLA Zydeco\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Music Festival \u2022\u00a0Aug. 30 \u2022\u00a0Zydeco Park\u00a0Plaisance Community of Opelousas \u2022 \u00a0zydeco.org<\/p>\n This festival is the main event in a weeks-long celebration of Zydeco music in Southwest Louisiana.<\/p>\n At the festival, you\u2019ll find plenty of Creole food, arts and crafts booths, cultural and music workshops and, of course, some of the area\u2019s best Zydeco artists.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Boo Zoo\u2019s\u00a0Labor Day Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Sept. 1, 10 am-until \u2022\u00a0Lake Charles Civic Center \u2022\u00a0337-438-3482<\/p>\n Celebrating its 30th year, this festival honors the late Zydeco musician Boo Zoo Chavis. The event will feature great Cajun food and live entertainment. Music will begin at 11 am.<\/p>\n Admission is $15 for adults, and $2 for children 12 and younger. No ice chests allowed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Pepper Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Sept. 5-6 \u2022\u00a0St. Martinville<\/p>\n The annual fundraiser for the St. Martinville Kiwanis Club, this festival is held along the banks of the Bayou Teche in St. Martinville. It will offer live music, kids\u2019 games and rides, arts and crafts displays and sales, a fun run, plenty of food, and a pepper eating contest.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n St. Jude Fall Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Sept. 12-13 \u2022\u00a0352 Carter Ferry Rd., Zwolle, La. \u2022\u00a0318-315-0104 \u2022\u00a0stjudefallfest@yahoo.com<\/p>\n A family-oriented event that will include a Walk of Hope, a parade, games, bingo, live music, lots of food, arts and crafts, a mud bog event and an auction.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Natchitoches\u00a0Meat Pie Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong>Sept. 12-13 \u2022\u00a0Natchitoches, La. \u2022\u00a0natchitoches.net<\/p>\n Carnival rides, vendors, live music, DJs, a meat pie eating contest, fun run and lots of great food featuring, of course, the world-famous Natchitoches meat pie.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Oldies But Goodies Festival and State Championship\u00a0Barbecue Cookoff<\/strong><\/p>\n Sept. 13-14 \u2022\u00a0westbatonrouge.net<\/p>\n West Baton Rouge Tourist Information and Conference Center N. Westport Dr. \u2022 Port Allen, La. \u2022 800-654-9701<\/p>\n This fun weekend includes the state championship barbecue cookoff on Sept. 13, and the festival. Visitors can enjoy not only the contest, but live music, an antique car show, a poker run, jitterbug and twist contests, a Hula Hoop contest, food and beverage vendors, arts and crafts vendors, and more.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mamou Cajun\u00a0Music Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Sept. 19-20 \u2022\u00a0Mamou, La. \u2022\u00a0mamoucajunmusicfestival.com<\/p>\n Cajun food, live music, games and contests, and workshops on Cajun dance and fiddle making will be featured. Music lineup includes Kevin Naquin and the Ossun Playboys, David Fontenot and Friends, Briggs Brown and the Fall Down Playboys, Pete Bergeron and the Bayou Boys, Jamie Bergeron and the Kickin\u2019 Cajuns, and Troy LeJeune and Cajun Revue.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marthaville Good Ole\u00a0Days Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Sept. 19-20 \u2022\u00a0Marthaville, La.\u00a0(25 miles west of Natchitoches) \u2022\u00a0explorenatchitoches.com<\/p>\n The town of Marthaville was settled in 1851, and incorporated in 1884 as a timber town. The town celebrates that long and rich history and heritage with a weekend of family fun including a parade, gospel singing, family reunions, a craft and toy trade area, food, kids\u2019 activities, and plenty of live music, including a Nashville country music show.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n St. Theresa\u00a0Bon-Ton Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Sept. 19-21 \u2022\u00a0St. Theresa Catholic Church \u2022\u00a0Carlyss, La \u2022\u00a0337-496-7811 or 337-583-4800 \u2022\u00a0st-theresa-parish.org<\/p>\n Sponsored by St. Theresa Catholic Church, this local favorite features family entertainment in a wholesome atmosphere. You\u2019ll find not only food, particularly barbecue, but also carnival rides, a tractor pull,\u00a0 a petting zoo, a talent show, lawn mower pulls, a washer board tournament, a garage sale, a 5K run and kids\u2019 run, an outdoor Mass, game booths, live music, a country store, live and silent auctions, and a sweet shop.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Allen Parish Fair<\/strong><\/p>\n Sept. 19-21 \u2022\u00a0Allen Parish Fairgrounds \u2022\u00a0Oberlin<\/p>\n This fair and festival offers music, livestock shows, a rodeo, carnival rides and food.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sabine Parish Fair<\/strong><\/p>\n Sept. 23-27 \u2022\u00a0Sabine Parish Fairgrounds \u2022\u00a0Many, La. \u2022\u00a0318-508-3161<\/p>\n Carnival rides, games, rodeos, arts and crafts, livestock shows, food and live music will be featured.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bogalusa Blues and Heritage Fest<\/strong><\/p>\n Sept. 26-27 \u2022\u00a0Cassidy Park \u2022\u00a0Bogalusa<\/p>\n This event features a high school band parade; a kids\u2019 zone with spacewalks, climbing wall and train rides; a native American and pioneer museum; art and food vendors; a harmonica workshop for kids; and a lineup of some of the area\u2019s best blues artists.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n La. Sugar Cane Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Sept. 24-28 \u2022\u00a0downtown New Iberia \u2022\u00a0hisugar.org<\/p>\n This annual festival honors the sugar cane producers and processors of the area, and the contribution of the sugar cane industry to the 23 sugar cane-producing parishes in the state. Activities will include carnival rides, live music, arts and crafts, an art show, food, a blessing of the crops, cooking contests, a kids\u2019 day, a sugar cane exhibit, a car show, a pageant and more.<\/p>\n Music lineup will include Wayne Toups, Louisiana Red, Spank the Monkey, Taken Back Yesterday, Bad Boys, The Vermillion, Debbie Deb and Chee Weez.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Alligator Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Sept. 26-29 \u2022\u00a0West Bank Bridge Park \u2022\u00a0Luling, La. (St. Charles Parish) \u2022\u00a0985-785-9035 \u2022\u00a0stcharlesrotary.com\/alfestival<\/p>\n Live music, carnival rides, alligator dishes and other Cajun cuisine, a golf tournament, a 5K run, children\u2019s activities and crafts will be featured.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Walker Pine Tree\u00a0Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Sept. 26-28 \u2022\u00a0Walker High School \u2022\u00a0Walker, La.<\/p>\n Located just east of Denham Springs along the I-12 corridor, the town of Walker celebrates the ubiquitous evergreen with a weekend of carnival rides, food, crafts and games.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jim Bowie Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Sept. 26-27 \u2022\u00a0Vidalia Riverfront \u2022\u00a0Vidalia, La. \u2022\u00a0318-336-8223 \u2022\u00a0concordiachamberofcommerce.com \/jimbowiefestival<\/p>\n This event commemorates the 1827 duel that gave birth to the legend of Jim Bowie. In addition to a re-enactment of the infamous Sandbar Duel, there will be a barbecue contest, a pageant, kids\u2019 rides, live bands, vendors and a street dance.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ascension Hot Air Balloon Competition And Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Sept. 26-27 \u2022\u00a0Lamar-Dixon Expo Center \u2022\u00a0Gonzales, La. \u2022\u00a0ascensionballooning.com<\/p>\n This thrill-packed weekend combines a hot air balloon championship with a two-day festival complete with live music and carnival rides and games.<\/p>\n You can also enjoy a barbecue cookoff, arts and crafts booths, a car show, fireworks displays and tethered hot air balloon rides. There\u2019ll also be a children\u2019s village with face painting and a petting zoo. Admission is $2.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Calca-Chew Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Sept. 28 \u2022\u00a0St. Margaret\u2019s Catholic Church \u2022\u00a0Lake Charles \u2022\u00a0337-439-4585 \u2022\u00a0stmargaretcatholicchurch.com<\/p>\n This annual smorgasbord of Creole and Cajun cuisine features some of the best dishes from some of the area\u2019s best Cajun cooks. St. Margaret parishioners will prepare such delights as shrimp etoufee, boudin, fried fish, cracklins, gumbo and barbecue.<\/p>\n Visitors can enjoy arts and crafts booths, live music, dancing, cake and pie judging, a raffle, live and silent auctions and door prizes. Children can enjoy a petting zoo, games and train rides.<\/p>\n The festival will begin with a 7 am Mass and continue through 3 pm. Admission is free.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Beauregard Parish Fair<\/strong><\/p>\n Sept. 30-Oct. 4 \u2022\u00a0DeRidder, La<\/p>\n A parade, pageant, carnival rides, food vendors, and arts and crafts will be featured.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n West Louisiana Forestry Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Oct. 1-5 \u2022\u00a0Vernon Parish Fairgrounds \u2022\u00a0Leesville, La \u2022\u00a0337-238-0647, 337-238-0324 \u2022\u00a0vppjla.com<\/p>\n This festival features 4-H horse and livestock shows, pageants, woodsmen\u2019s skills contests, a rodeo, carnival rides and food vendors.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lecompte Pie Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Oct. 3-4 \u2022\u00a0Lecompte, La. \u2022\u00a0asliceoflouisiana.net<\/p>\n Held in the pie capital of the state, this festival offers rides, kids\u2019 games, food booths, arts and crafts, a parade, a pageant and, of course, plenty of sweet, fruit-filled baked goods.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Denham Springs Antique District\u00a0Fall Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Oct. 4, 9 am-5 pm \u2022\u00a0Antique District \u2022\u00a0Denham Springs, La. \u2022\u00a0denhamspringsantiquedistrict.net<\/p>\n Denham Springs\u2019 antique district comes alive with over 150 vendors selling unique items. Shop the district\u2019s many antique stores. Take a break in one of the area\u2019s great restaurants, or grab something on the go from one of the many food vendors. Browse the festival\u2019s art exhibits. Dance to the live music. Let the kids enjoy one of the many kiddie rides.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Robert\u2019s Cove Germanfest<\/strong><\/p>\n Oct. 4-5 \u2022\u00a0St. Leo\u2019s Catholic Church Grounds Rayne, La. \u2022\u00a0robertscovegermanfest.com<\/p>\n Providing clean, wholesome fun for the entire family, this annual festival honors the German heritage of Robert\u2019s Cove. German music, a heritage museum, a home brew competition, gifts, a \u201ckiddie land\u201d with children\u2019s activities, cultural demonstrations, folklore presentations and more will be featured.<\/p>\n And, of course, there\u2019ll be plenty of German food on hand: sauerkraut with potato and wurst, German potato salad, sausage on a bun, brisket, dill pickles and more. Wash it all down with \u2014 what else? \u2014 a variety of beers.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Red River Revel Arts Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Oct. 4-11 \u2022\u00a0Festival Plaza \u2022\u00a0Shreveport, La. \u2022\u00a0redriverrevel.com<\/p>\n This eight-day festival will feature three stages of live music with a lineup that offers a wide variety of music. You\u2019llalso find street performers, and a huge variety of food, including Cajun dishes, funnel cake and ice cream, Natchitoches meat pies and turkey legs.<\/p>\n Over 100 artists will be displaying works from a variety of mediums, including oils and acrylics, metal, ceramics and watercolors. Other shows and demonstrations include martial arts, ballet, gymnastics and much more.<\/p>\n Shop the vendors for artwork, gourmet jams, soaps, candies and more. Children can enjoy fun and educational arts-related activities, such as face painting, ceramic painting, geologic digging and sand art.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n La. Cotton Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Oct. 7-12 \u2022\u00a0North Side Civic Center \u2022\u00a0Ville Platte, La. \u2022\u00a0louisianacottonfestival.com<\/p>\n Festivalgoers can enjoy authentic Acadian music and food, a pet show, a beer booth, a farmer\u2019s market, a flower display, a carnival, a fais-do-do, a harvest Mass, a pageant, a parade. The festival is capped off by the running of the ancient jousting game known as Le Tournoi.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Zwolle Tamale Fiesta<\/strong><\/p>\n Oct. 9-11 \u2022\u00a0Zwolle Festival Grounds \u2022\u00a0Zwolle, La. \u2022\u00a0(318) 256-3523 \u2022\u00a0zwolletamalefiesta.com<\/p>\n Though Zwolle, just south of Shreveport, is named after a Dutch town, it has a rich Spanish and Mexican heritage, having been part of Texas under Mexican rule during the early 19th Century.<\/p>\n This annual festival celebrates that heritage with a weekend of fun, music and food, including live music, street dance, arts and crafts, carnival rides, concessions, a pageant, a Spanish costume contest, an arm wrestling contest, eating contests, a tamale making contest, a fun run and group dance performances.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n La. Cattle Festival\u00a0and Fair<\/strong><\/p>\n Oct. 10-12 \u2022\u00a0Abbeville, La. \u2022\u00a0louisianacattlefestival.org<\/p>\n Children\u2019s activities, cooking contests, livestock competitions and exhibits, pageants (including a baby pageant), music, rides, vendors and food will be featured.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bridge City\u00a0Gumbo Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Oct. 10-12 \u2022\u00a0Gumbo Festival Park \u2022\u00a0Angel Square, Bridge City, La.(near Westwego) \u2022\u00a0504-436-4881 \u2022\u00a0bridgecitygumbofestival.org<\/p>\n The food offerings will feature, of course, seafood and chicken-and-sausage gumbo, as well as other Cajun favorites such as Jambalaya. But attendees will also find the old carnival standbys like hamburgers, hot dogs and funnel cakes. There\u2019ll be live music and a fais-do-do, a pageant\u00a0 and a gumbo cooking contest.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Festivals Acadiens\u00a0et Creoles<\/strong><\/p>\n Oct. 9-12 \u2022\u00a0downtown Lafayette and Girard Park \u2022\u00a0festivalsacadiens.com<\/p>\n Actually four festivals in one, this year\u2019s celebration of Cajun culture and music will include some of the best Cajun food in the area, including boudin, catfish courtbouillion, meat pies and jambalaya. There\u2019ll also be live entertainment featuring some of the state\u2019s best zydeco and Cajun music, and arts and crafts exhibits and booths.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Madisonville Wooden\u00a0Boat Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Oct. 11-12 \u2022\u00a0Lake Pontchartrain Maritime Museum, on the Tchefuncte River, I-12 Exit 59, Hwy. 21 S., Madisonville<\/p>\n 985-845-9200 \u2022\u00a0woodenboatfest.org<\/p>\n This event is the annual fundraiseror the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum. It features food, entertainment, art, music, arts and crafts, and a children\u2019s village with games and performances.<\/p>\n The popular Quick and Dirty Boat Building Contest will be offered again this year. Teams will struggle to build seaworthy craft from the materials they are provided. The event culminates in a race of the craft.<\/p>\n A free shuttle between the museum and the Water Street site on the river will be provided.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Cal-Cam Fair<\/strong><\/p>\n Oct. 15-19 \u2022\u00a0West Cal Arena, Sulphur<\/p>\n This old-fashioned country fair will feature livestock competitions, food booths, pageants, carnival rides, live entertainment, wildlife exhibits, baked and canned goods competitions, and more.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Intl. Rice Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Oct. 16-19 \u2022\u00a0downtown Crowley \u2022\u00a0ricefestival.com<\/p>\n This is a family-friendly celebration of Cajun heritage, culture and food. There will be carnival rides, arts and crafts, fiddle and accordion contests, a rice eating contest, a poker run, a classic car show, a 5K run\/walk, a senior citizens ball, cooking contests, a frog derby, a rice grading contest and more.<\/p>\n Music will be featured on two stages. Scheduled to appear are Charley Rivers, Kira Viator and Bayou Beat, Wayne Toups and Zydecajun, Nik L Beer, Geno Delafose and French Rockin\u2019 Boogie, Tracy Byrd, Chris Himel and Outbound, Kevin Naquin and the Ossun Playboys, Apollo\u2019s Crows, Bag of Donuts, Colby Latiolais and Ambush, Bonne Chance, Chee Weez, Leroy Thomas and the Zydeco Roadrunners, T.J. Gautreaux, Johnny Chauvin and Chris Ardoin.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Andouille Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Oct. 17-19 \u2022\u00a0St. John Center, Laplace, La. \u2022\u00a0andouillefestival.com<\/p>\n This festival celebrates the best-tasting andouille sausage in the world with cooking contests using andouille in gumbo, jambalaya and miscellaneous categories. Carnival rides, games, kids\u2019 activities (including a kids\u2019 art tent), a fun run and live music will be featured.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n LOUISIANA\u00a0Gumbo Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Oct. 17-19 \u2022\u00a0Chackbay, La. \u2022\u00a0\u00a0lagumbofest.com<\/p>\n Plenty of great Cajun food, carnival rides, a 5K, a pageant, a parade, a live auction, a raffle and live entertainment will be featured. Music lineup includes LA Cruze, Tet Dur, Bandit, Ben Wells, 90 Degrees West, South 70, Ross Grisham, Junior and Sumtin Sneaky, and 5-Finger Discount.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n French Food Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Oct. 23-26 \u2022\u00a0Larose Civic Center \u2022\u00a0Larose, La. \u2022\u00a0bayoucivicclub.org<\/p>\n Sample some of the best Cajun food around, dance to some of the best live music, and enjoy the carnival rides. There\u2019ll also be a cake decorating contest, a three-on-three basketball tournament, a fun run\/walk a pro tour bull riding event, a live auction, an art show and a Cajun market. There\u2019ll be plenty of free parking, and there\u2019s no gate fee. Overnight camping is available with advance reservations.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Black Pot Festival and Cookoff<\/strong><\/p>\n Oct. 24-25 \u2022\u00a0Acadian Village, Lafayette, La. \u2022\u00a0\u00a0blackpotfestival.com<\/p>\n Enjoy a weekend of old-fashioned fun, including square dancing, an accordion contest, and lots of live music \u2014 everything from Creole and Zydeco to bluegrass.<\/p>\n The highlight of the festival, though, will be the black pot (cast iron pot) cookoff, with categories such as cracklins, \u201csauce\u201d or gravy, jambalaya, gumbo and desserts.<\/p>\n There will be ample tent and RV camping space.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Yellow Leaf\u00a0Arts Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Oct. 25-26, 10 am-5 pm \u2022\u00a0Parker Park \u2022\u00a0St. Francisville, La. \u2022\u00a0stfrancisvillefestivals.com<\/p>\n Stroll through the booths at this small, charming festival, and you\u2019ll find local artists and artisans selling authentic and unique works, from sculpture to wood pieces to metal sculptures, and much more. No factory-produced art items here; all works are authentic.<\/p>\n You can also enjoy live music, a metalworking demonstration, and local foods (including locally grown sweet potatoes baked in pies, muffins and cakes). There\u2019ll also be a kids\u2019 art activity zone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n LOUISIANA Swine Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Oct. 31-Nov.2 \u2022\u00a0West Basile Town Park \u2022\u00a0Basile, La. \u2022\u00a0evangelinetourism.com<\/p>\n This festival features carnival rides, kids\u2019 games, live music, a greased pig contest, a hog calling contest, and lots of food, including pork prepared in any way you can imagine.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Abbeville Giant Omelette Celebration<\/strong><\/p>\n Nov. 1-2 \u2022\u00a0Magdalene Square \u2022\u00a0downtown Abbeville \u2022\u00a0giantomelette.org<\/p>\n According to legend, when Napoleon and his army were traveling through the south of France, they decided to rest for the night near the town of Bessieres. Napoleon feasted on an omelette prepared by a local innkeeper. It was such a culinary delight that he ordered the townspeople to gather all the eggs in the village and to prepare a huge omelette for his army the next day. From this beginning, the community omelet became a tradition to feed the poor of the village at Easter, and the town of Bessiers, France, still celebrates the holiday each year with a community omelet.<\/p>\n Abbeville celebrates that tradition with a weekend of music, arts and crafts, gallery and home tours, food vendors and more. Of course, you won\u2019t want to miss the highlight: the procession of chefs to the cooking area, where the community omelet is prepared and served with French bread.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n LOUISIANA\u00a0Renaissance Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Nov. 1-Dec. 7 (weekends)\u00a0and Friday, Nov. 28 \u2022\u00a0Robert, La., (east of Hammond) \u2022\u00a0la-renfest.com<\/p>\n This is an all-out Medieval pageant, a cross between a theme park and a festival. There will be more than 100 places to shop, and more than a dozen stages will offer entertainment \u2014 over 50 shows, including swordfighting and jousting tournaments; juggling; music demonstrations (including dulcimer, lute and bagpipes); blacksmithing demonstrations; puppet shows; falconry shows and kids\u2019 shows.\u00a0 There will also be a \u201cliving history\u201d center, a wine and whiskey tasting; and Celtic music. The festival is held rain or shine.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n LOUISIANA\u00a0Renaissance Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Nov. 1-Dec. 7 (weekends)\u00a0and Friday, Nov. 28 \u2022\u00a0Robert, La., (east of Hammond) \u2022\u00a0la-renfest.com<\/p>\n This is an all-out Medieval pageant, a cross between a theme park and a festival. There will be more than 100 places to shop, and more than a dozen stages will offer entertainment \u2014 over 50 shows, including swordfighting and jousting tournaments; juggling; music demonstrations (including dulcimer, lute and bagpipes); blacksmithing demonstrations; puppet shows; falconry shows and kids\u2019 shows.\u00a0 There will also be a \u201cliving history\u201d center, a wine and whiskey tasting; and Celtic music. The festival is held rain or shine.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Port Barre Cracklin Festival<\/b><\/p>\n Nov. 6-9 \u2022\u00a0St. Landry Parish \u2022\u00a0I-10E, Exit 103B to I-49N, Exit 19 to 190E \u2022\u00a0337-331-0669 \u2022\u00a0Portbarrecracklinfestival.com<\/p>\n Major features of this festival will be a parade (at 10 am Nov. 8) and the cracklin cookoff (at 2 pm on Nov. 9) and a pageant. There will also be carnival rides, all available at one price.<\/p>\n Musical performers will include Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, Chris Ardoin & Nustep Zydeco, Lil Kenny & The Heartbreakers, Kevin Naquin & The Ossun Playboys, Jamie Bergeron & The Kickin’ Cajuns, Wallace Trahan & Rice and Gravy, Ryan Foret & Foret Tradition and John Conlee.<\/p>\n The event is sponsored by the Port Barre Lions Club.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Rayne Frog Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Nov. 15 \u2022\u00a0\u00a0I-10 Exit 87, Rayne \u2022\u00a0raynefrogfestival.com,<\/p>\n The next full-schedule Rayne Frog Festival will be held May 6-9, 2015, as the festival moves to its new spring dates. To tide you over, the town of Rayne is hosting a one-day event Nov. 15, 10 am-midnight, at the Frog Festival Pavilion.<\/p>\n The event will feature live music, plenty of food, arts and crafts, and more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" You\u2019ll find world-famous cuisine \u2014 gumbo, jambalaya, etoufee, world-class barbecue, German cuisine, and the much-loved carnival midway standbys: funnel cake, corn\u00a0 dogs, hot dogs and burgers. Browse the numerous booths offering unique arts and crafts. Find one-of-a-kind paintings, sculptures, jewelry and more. See demonstrations by local artisans \u2014 from sculptors to woodworkers to weavers. Go [&hellip<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":1859,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[413,4],"yoast_head":"\n