When it comes to a good festival, Louisiana is the place to be. If there’s something to celebrate, you can bet it will be feted in style in the Festival Capital of America. Here’s your guide to some of the best festivals and family events in Louisiana.
March/April: Kite Fest Louisiane
Bring a blanket to this free family event, because you’ll want to lie back and enjoy the colorful ballet taking place in the sky above. Professionals and hobbyists convene to fly kites of all shapes, sizes and colors during this weekend event in West Baton Rouge. Families can buy kites of their own and enjoy live music and Louisiana fare from on-site vendors. Be aware: Showers are predicted — candy showers, that is. Kids will be delighted when kites rain down sweets as they fly over. Stay up late and enjoy night flights by kites illuminated with attached LED lights.
Location: West Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Website:http://www.louisianatravel.com/kite-fest-louisiane-0
April: Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival
Grab the strawberry lovers in your family and get ready for a sweet time. The three-day Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival, held each April, is the ultimate celebration of this juicy red fruit. Ponchatoula, located halfway between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, has proudly hosted this charitable fundraiser for over 40 years. Start in the morning at the parade, and then enter a strawberry eating contest while the kids enjoy the egg toss, sack races and more than 50 rides and amusements. Grab some delectable lunch at one of the dozens of food booths and enjoy the nonstop live music. Go ahead and indulge. You can always run it off at the Strawberry Strut one-mile fun run and 10K race the second day of the festival.
Location: Ponchatoula, Louisiana
Website:http://www.lastrawberryfestival.com/
May: Jambalaya Festival
The Memorial Day weekend Jambalaya Festival is one of the biggest festivals in the state. This annual festival, which began in 1967, is a good time for the whole family. Where else can you enjoy four straight days of world-class jambalaya, live music, carnival rides, cooking contests and an arts and crafts show? Check the schedule of events ahead of time to take full advantage of all the Jambalaya Capital of the World has to offer.
Location: Gonzales, Louisiana
Website:http://jambalayafestival.org/
June: New Orleans Oyster Fest
Follow the advice of the Oyster Fest organizers and come with a big appetite. The annual New Orleans Oyster Fest is a true celebration of food, with dishes like raw oysters, oyster po-boys, oyster ravioli, fried oysters, oyster dip and oyster egg rolls — all prepared by the best seafood restaurants in New Orleans. This is Louisiana, so live NOLA music will spice things up throughout the two-day festival.
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Website: http://www.neworleansoysterfestival.org/index.php
September: Shrimp and Petroleum Festival
Since 1936, the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival, held Labor Day weekend, has honored those fueling the economy of the area with their hard work in the seafood and petroleum industries. This free event offers plenty of activities for kids and adults alike. Enjoy homestyle Cajun cooking (including plenty of shrimp, of course) as well as zydeco, Cajun, country and popular music under the oak trees at historic Lawrence Park. With a 5K fun run/walk, a golf tournament and one of the largest craft shows in the South, your family is sure to have a blast in the heart of Cajun country.
Location: Morgan City, Louisiana
Website:http://www.shrimp-petrofest.org/
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