Hotels by City

Festival Dates 2009

MARCH 13-15

• INDEPENDENCE SICILIAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL: downtown Independence. The town’s newest festival kicks off with a spaghetti cook-off on Friday. The weekend will offer all kinds of traditional Sicilian food, Italian bands, children’s art contest and silent auction, antique cars, motorcycle poker run, parade, St. Joseph altar display, arts and crafts, rock climbing wall and more. Hours: 5 p.m.-midnight Friday, 11 a.m.-midnight Saturday, and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. http://www.indysicilianfest.com.
• LAGNIAPPE DULCIMER FESTIVAL: Port Allen Community Center/West Baton Rouge Parish Museum, 749 N. Jefferson Ave., Port Allen. Classes, performances and instruction on mountain dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, banjo, guitar, autoharp, harmonica and more. Instructors from all over the South and beyond. Music, food and hospitality, too. (225) 753-7917.

NOW THROUGH APRIL 11

• NATCHEZ SPRING PILGRIMAGE: Natchez, Miss. Visitors can choose from 25 antebellum mansions for morning or afternoon tours. Evening entertainment includes the Historic Natchez Pageant and other musical and theatrical productions. (800) 647-6742. http://www.natchezpilgrimage.com.

MARCH 14

• ST. PATRICK’S DAY FESTIVAL: 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Magazine Street and Washington Avenue. Join the Waldorf School of New Orleans in celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with food, crafts, games, music activities and more. (504) 525-2420.

MARCH 14-15

• DESTREHAN PLANTATION SPRING ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. both days, Destrehan Plantation, 13034 River Road, Destrehan. Artists and craftsmen from throughout the U.S. offer paintings, ceramics, jewelry, pottery, wood crafts, baskets, stained glass, prints, quilts and more. The Cajun & Creole Park will feature more than 20 chefs preparing local dishes like fried seafood, red beans and rice, jambalaya, gumbo and other favorites. Don’t miss the children’s corner, plantation tours, folklife demonstrations, and musical entertainment. (985) 764-9315.

MARCH 20-21

• LOUISIANA “SLOW ROLLERS GATORAMA”: Washington Avenue, DeRidder. Some of the finest classic cars have been restored by  those who have a passion for bringing these vehicles to life. (337) 463-8989.
• LOUISIANA SWAMP STOMP FESTIVAL: Nicholls State University, Thibodaux. A musical celebration of south Louisiana culture, music, food and locally made arts and crafts. (985) 448-4143.
• PARKVIEW BAPTIST SCHOOL SPRING FESTIVAL: 3-10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, Parkview Baptist School, 5750 Parkview Church Road in Baton Rouge. Fun run/walk, brunch with the Easter Bunny, jambalaya cook-off, Eagle marketplace, silent auction, vendors selling jewelry, purses, home accessories and more. http://www.parkviewbaptist.com

MARCH 21

• 2009 CZECH HERITAGE DAYS: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Libuse Czech Community Hall, Industrial Street, Libuse. Food, dancers, children’s dress parade, raffle, band performance, dumpling eating contest, sing-along, food, moon walk, face painting and more. (318) 466-3196.

MARCH 21-22

• SEVENTH ANNUAL BATON ROUGE SPRING GARDEN SHOW: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., John M. Parker Coliseum, Highland Road, LSU campus. New plants, yard, garden and patio-related products, educational sessions and plant experts will answer questions. Admission $5/free for children under 12. (225) 578-2158.
• ISLENOS FIESTA: noon-9 p.m. Saturday; and noon-8 p.m. Sunday, Islenos Museum Complex, 13357 Bayou Road, St. Bernard.
• LOUISIANA STATE CHILI COOK-OFF: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., LSU 4-H Mini Barn next to the Parker Coliseum, where at the same time the LSU Horticulture Department will be hosting its annual Spring Garden Show. There will be music, food, drinks and a talent show featuring dancers. International Chili Society sanctioned event held on March 21-22, 2009 from 10:30-5:00 (winners go on to World Championship). The State&District Chili Cook-offs are held at the LSU 4-H Mini-Barn next to the Parker Coliseum where the LSU Horticulture Dept. Spring Garden Show and Sale is being held at the same time Two fun filled days with a variety of Food, Children's Talent show, Children's Village, Music,Dancing,Chili Cooking,Local Celebrity Judges and a Classic Car Show. For information contact event Chairman Lowell Tilley at ltilley@cox.net or (225) 241-2396The cook-off is a fundraiser for the Audubon Kiwanis Club and the Baton Rouge Head Injury Association. http://www.brhia.org

MARCH 25-29

• TENNESSEE WILLIAMS NEW ORLEANS LITERARY FESTIVAL: various locations, New Orleans. The festival brings together national and regional scholars, writers and performing artists for master classes, panel discussions, literary tours and theatre. Special events include an opening night gala, “Broadway in the Big Easy: A Night of Literary Revelry,” and the always popular “Stella” yelling contest. Fees for some events. (504) 581-1144 or http://www.tennesseewilliams.net

MARCH 27-28

• MERRYVILLE HERITAGE FESTIVAL: all day, festival grounds, La. 190 W., Merryville. Celebrate the late 1800s and early 1900s. Demonstrations on soap making, basketry and corn grinding,  parade, food, music, Native American dancing and gospel music. (337) 825-0101.

MARCH 27-APRIL 5

• NEW ORLEANS SPRING FIESTA: The 73rd annual fiesta will focus on tours of 20 historic homes in the French Quarter and Uptown. The first weekend includes a French Quarter walking tour and a “Night in Old New Orleans” parade on Saturday, with a walking tour of the French Quarter and an Uptown home tour on Sunday. The second weekend will include French Quarter tours on Saturday and Sunday, plus Garden District and French Quarter home tours. A presentation of the queen and court will be held at 2 p.m. on March 27. (504) 581-1367 or (800) 550-8450. Go to http://www.springfiesta.com.

MARCH 28

• ZAPP’S INTERNATIONAL BEER TASTING: LSU Rural Life Museum, Essen Lane at I-10. The fifth annual event will serve up more than 200 foreign and domestic beers and ales for tasting, as well as an assortment of home brews. Jambalaya and non-alcoholic beverages will also be available. Admission $25. (225) 765-2437.

MARCH 28-29

• OUTHOUSE FILM & VIDEO FESTIVAL: Dodson Auditorium, LSU campus. An opportunity for local filmmakers to network with other artists and showcase their work alongside submissions from around the country. Sponsored by the Cinema Club at LSU. Free. Full schedule at http://www.myspace.com/outhousefilmfest

MARCH 29

• 24TH ANNUAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CRAWFISH ETOUFFEE COOK-OFF: Northwest Pavilion, 651 Samuel Dr., Eunice. Teams compete to see who can cook the best crawfish etouffee. Music will be performed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (337) 457-7389.

NATCHEZ SPRING PILGRIMAGE: Natchez, Miss. Visitors can choose from 25 antebellum mansions for morning or afternoon tours. Many of the mansions are private residences only open to the public during the five weeks of the pilgrimage. Tickets are available for three-house tours, $24, adults, and $18, children 6-13; and three-house tours plus Longwood, called “the grandest octagonal house in America,” $34, adults; and $26, children. Evening entertainment includes the Historic Natchez Pageant and other musical and theatrical productions. (800) 647-6742.

MARCH  22
LOUISIANA OYSTER JUBILEE: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.. 311 Bourbon St., New Orleans. Enjoy oysters like never before as local chefs, restaurants and oyster aficionados in the French Quarter celebrate New Orleans’ unique culinary culture with live music, oyster shuck’n run, longest oyster po-boy, and other fun events.

RIVER RUN & FAMILY FESTIVAL: 7:30 a.m.-noon, River Ranch Town Square, Lafayette. Activities for the family, run/walk. All proceeds benefit Acadiana Youth, Inc. (337) 216-6529.

MARCH 26-30
TENNESSEE WILLIAMS NEW ORLEANS LITERARY FESTIVAL: various locations, New Orleans. The festival brings together national and regional scholars, writers and performing artists for master classes, panel discussions, literary tours and theatre. Special events include an evening fundraiser, “An Evening with Tennessee Williams and his Women”; an opening night gala and the always popular “Stella” yelling contest. Fees for some events. (504) 581-1144 or http://www.tennesseewilliams.net.   

MARCH 27-29
MERRYVILLE LIVING HISTORY HERITAGE FESTIVAL: all day, festival grounds, La. 190 W., Merryville. Celebrate the late 1800s and early 1900s. Demonstrations on soap making, basketry and corn grinding; parade, food, music, Native American dancing and gospel music. (337) 463-5534. 

MARCH 29
ZAPP’S INTERNATIONAL BEER TASTING: LSU Rural Life Museum, Essen Lane at I-10. The fourth annual event will serve up more than 200 foreign and domestic beers and ales for tasting, as well as an assortment of home brews. Jambalaya and non-alcoholic beverages will also be available. Music by the Red Stick Ramblers. $20 in advance; $25 at the door; $15, students 21 and older with ID. (225) 765-2437.

THE LOUISIANA STATE CHILI COOK-OFF: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the LSU 4-H Mini Barn next to the Parker Coliseum, where at the same time the LSU Horticulture Department will be hosting its annual Spring Garden Show. There will be music, food, drinks, a talent show-off featuring  dancers and a children’s art display. The  cook-off is a fundraiser for the Audubon Kiwanis Club and the Baton Rouge Head Injury Association. http://www.brhia.org.

MARCH  29-30
THE SIXTH ANNUAL BATON ROUGE SPRING GARDEN SHOW:  John M. Parker Coliseum, Highland Road, LSU Campus from  9 a.m. until 4 p.m. New plants, yard, garden and patio-related products, educational sessions and plant experts will answer questions. Admission $5, children under 12 free.  (225) 578-2158.

OUTHOUSE FILM & VIDEO FESTIVAL: Bo Campbell Auditorium, LSU campus. An opportunity for local filmmakers to network with other artists and showcase their work alongside submissions from around the country. Free. Full schedule at http://www.myspace.com/outhousefilmfest.

MARCH 29-30, APRIL 4-6
NEW ORLEANS SPRING FIESTA: The 72nd annual fiesta will focus on tours of 20 historic homes in the French Quarter and Uptown. The first weekend includes a French Quarter walking tour on Saturday, brunch at Commander’s Palace, and a Garden District tour; and on Sunday, more French Quarter tours. The second weekend, there will be  French Quarter tours on Friday and Saturday, a presentation of the queen and court, and parade also on Saturday, and French Quarter and Uptown tours on Sunday. (504) 581-1367 or (800) 550-8450.

MARCH  30
ALLONS MANGER (LET’S EAT) FOOD FESTIVAL: St. Jules Catholic Church, La. 1, Belle Rose, five miles south of Donaldsonville. Fair opens at 10:30 a.m. and food goes on sale at 11 a.m. The fest offers Cajun delicacies in the forms of crawfish, oysters, turtle, fish and shrimp, etouffee, sauce piquante, hamburgers and homemade sweets. Look for arts and crafts, games for children and live entertainment with  regional bands. Auction begins at 1 p.m. (225) 473-8569.

Look for festival updates in each week's Friday FUN section of the
Morning Advocateand Visit Baton Rouge