Hotels by City

NOW THROUGH APRIL 12
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.

MARCH 30-31
MERRYVILLE LIVING HISTORY HERITAGE FESTIVAL: all day, festival grounds, La. 190 W., Merryville. Celebrate the late 1800s and early 1900s, and look for demonstrations on soap making, basketry and corn grinding. There’s a festival parade and a chili cook-off at 10 a.m. Saturday, food, music, Native American dancing, and a free period ball at the Merryville High School gym that night. Sunday events include live gospel music, and more shows and dancing. The Notorious No Man’s Land Gang will be doing skits throughout the weekend. (337) 463-5534.

STARKEY ACADEMY SPRING FLING:  10510 Joor Road, Baton Rouge. Activities include food, games, fingerprinting, face painting, spacewalk, art show, live and silent auctions. Kids can also have their photos taken with the Easter Bunny. Hours are 6-9 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday. (225) 261-1390.

March 30-April 1
PATTERSON CYPRESS SAWMILL FESTIVAL: Patterson at Kemper Williams Park. Family festival featuring continuous live music, cypress sawmill display, tournaments, arts and crafts, Cajun cooking contest, petting zoo, street fair with rides and games, classic car and truck display, 5K run/walk, food and drink, and more. For directions or a schedule of events, call (985) 395-4905.

KITE FEST LOUISIANE: West Baton Rouge Soccer Complex, La. 415 at Rosedale Road, Port Allen. Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., is student day with kite  making workshops and  school field trips. Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., will feature Don Rich in performance. Sunday, noon-6 p.m., will  spotlight NaNaSha. Saturday and Sunday events include professional kite flying, show kite, demonstrations,  sports kite team ballets,  kite flying for fun, Louisiana food booths and more.  (800) 654-9701.

AUDUBON COUNTRY BIRDFEST: St. Francisville. Bird-watching opportunity for visitors and residents of the Felicianas. Seminars, exhibits, nature trail walk, birding field trips and more. Will include hands-on nature activities, field trips, scavenger hunt, music and activities for youngsters. (800) 488-6502 or http://www.audubonbirdfest.com

NEW ORLEANS SPRING FIESTA: Tour of private homes in French Quarter and Uptown. Tours start at  826 St. Ann Street, headquarters of New Orleans Spring Fiesta Association. Friday French Quarter Tour, 1-4 p.m., $18-$20. Saturday, French Quarter Walking Tour, 10 a.m.-noon, $12-$15; presentation of court at Jackson Square, 2:30 p.m. and “Night in Old New Orleans” parade, French Quarter, 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Uptown Home Tour, 1-4 p.m. Contact (800) 861-3812.

TENNESSEE WILLIAMS NEW ORLEANS LITERARY FESTIVAL: various locations, New Orleans. Prize-winning authors, thespians and other creative professionals unite for master classes, panel discussions, celebrity interviews, theater, food and musical events. Admission applies to some events. Call (504) 581-1144 for details.

MARCH 31
ZAPPS INTERNATIONAL BEER FEST: LSU Rural Life Museum, Essen Lane at I-10. This event is a benefit for the museum and grounds. Running from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., the festival offers more than 200 foreign and domestic beers and ales. Also available will be home brews, soft and non-alcoholic drinks, jambalaya and red beans and rice. The Red Stick Ramblers will perform. Admission is $25 per person (must be over 21 with valid ID) at the door or $20 per person in advance. Students over 21 with a valid student ID can taste for $15 per student. (225) 765-2437.

MARCH 31-APRIL 1
ZIPPTY ZOO DAZE: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. both days, BREC’S Baton Rouge Zoo near Baker. This annual spring event brings thousands of visitors to see the animals, enjoy children’s entertainment, displays, food, music and more. Admission is $5.50, adults; $4.50, seniors; $2.50, ages 2-12; free age 1 and under. (225) 775-3877.

AMITE OYSTER FESTIVAL, Amite at the Tangipahoa Parish Fairgrounds. Open 3-11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-midnight Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Parade 10 a.m. Saturday downtown. Outdoor cochon de lait cook-off, fireman’s competitive games, live music, food, bull riding and barrel racing. 504-748-5161.

NATCHEZ SPRING PILGRIMAGE, Natchez, Miss. Ladies in hoop skirts welcome you to 32 antebellum and historic homes opened to the public during this event. Tickets $24 to see four homes in one morning or afternoon. 601-446-6631 or 800-647-6742.

LIVE OAKS TREE FESTIVAL AND COMMUNITY PICNIC, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., New Iberia City Park, 300 Parkview Drive, New Iberia. Live music from D.L. Menard and the Cajun Aces and Donna Angelle and her Zydeco Posse. Barbecue cook-off, pony rides, petting zoo, pet care clinic, face painting, leaf printing, paper making, button painting, volleyball tournament, Easter egg hunt, tree walk, art contest and more. 337-369-2337.

OAK ALLEY ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL, Oak Alley Plantation, 3645 La. 18, Vacherie. The 11th annual event features arts and crafts displays, demonstrations, furniture, jewelry, toys, paintings, mansion tours (for an extra charge), and food — Cajun, Creole, ethnic and old-fashioned dishes. Performers include 6-year-old Julian Devillier and the River Road Performing Arts Society. Hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission $3 for adults, $2 age 6-16, free for 5 and under. 800-442-5539.

ST. ELIZABETH OLD-FASHIONED DAY FESTIVAL, all day beginning at 7:30 a.m., Paincourtville. Early morning beignets, street dance, fun run/walk, games, entertainment, auction, food booths. 985-369-7402.

TENNESSEE WILLIAMS/NEW ORLEANS LITERARY FESTIVAL, Le Petit Theatre, New Orleans. The 16th annual event celebrates the literary arts with master classes, interviews, discussions, theater, music, walking tours and a book fair. Special guests include Patricia Neal, Roy Blount Jr. and many others. Don’t miss the famous scandal tour, which is offered daily. For tickets, call 504-299-TWEB or 800-965-4827.

BAKER BUFFALO FESTIVAL, 3325 Groom Road, across from Baker High School. Highlights include a rodeo Friday and Saturday night. Food, music, rides and pageants also are planned. 225-778-0300.

MAIN STREET HERITAGE FESTIVAL, Port Gibson, Miss. Annual festival includes 5K run/walk, live music, arts and crafts, food fair, historic guided tours, children’s activities, original Mississippi venison cook-off, quilt contest and exhibit, living history presentation and antebellum home pilgrimage. 601-437-4234.

JACKSON ASSEMBLY’S ANTIQUES FESTIVAL AND TOUR, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day, Charter Street, Jackson. More than two dozen antiques dealers from all over the South with furniture, art, linens, silver, tools and jewelry. Seafood gumbo, homemade vegetable soup, sandwiches and desserts prepared by some of the Felicianas’ finest cooks. Self-guided tours of the Historic District. Tickets $5 for all three days. 225-634-7155 or Feliciana.

CROWLEY ART ASSOCIATION SPRING ARTS AND CRAFTS SHOW, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Third Street and Levi Park, downtown Crowley. Assortment of artists with crafts, artwork and more. 337-783-3747.

OVER AND UNDER TUNNEL RUN, 4 p.m. race, Houma Municipal Auditorium, Houma. This annual event also features food booths and live music by Joe Stark. Registration is at 2 p.m. Presented by the American Heart Association. 985-851-3479.

RICE & GRAVY COOKOFF & FESTIVAL, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Acadian Village, Ambassador Caffery, Lafayette. Taste delicious homemade rice and gravy dishes, barbecue beef burgers, cracklins and more. Admission $5. Eat till there’s nothing left. Live music, arts and crafts, black pot curing, prizes. 337-981-2364.

ROCK ’N’ ROAR FESTIVAL, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., SLU campus, Hammond. Campus festival with children’s sports camps, space walk, fingerprinting for kids, petting zoo, food, music, plant sale, cooking contest, health fair, arts and crafts and educational displays. 985-549-2150.

SPRING GARDEN DAY, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Hammond Research Station, 21549 Old Covington Hwy., Hammond. Plant sale, educational exhibits, demonstrations, gardening seminars, concessions, free children’s activities, food drive. 985-748-9381.

BATTLE OF PORT HUDSON RE-ENACTMENT, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Port Hudson State Commemorative Area, Zachary. This annual re-enactment and living history program recreates the Civil War siege for which the site is named. Meet and mingle with re-enactors as they recreate the era. Pre-registration suggested. 225-654-3775.

ISLEÑO FESTIVAL, Isleño Village in St. Bernard Village, St. Bernard. A weekend of fun, food and folklore celebrating the Isleño people who settled in Louisiana beginning in 1778. Continuous live music, dancing, cash drawing, arts and crafts for sale, cooking contest, living history exhibits, children’s area with games and rock climbing. About 40 singers, dancers and government officials from the Canary Islands will attend. Hours are noon-10 p.m. Saturday and noon-9 p.m. Sunday. Admission and parking are free. 504-682-0862.

ANNUAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CRAWFISH ETOUFFEE COOKOFF, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Northwest Pavilion, Eunice. The 17th annual competition aims to find out who can cook the best crawfish etouffee. Celebrity judges will choose the winners. Refreshments, live music and native craft demonstrations, including cowhide chairs, handmade bonnets, handmade rosaries, cypress Mardi Gras men, traditional Mardi Gras signs and more. 337-457-7389.

CRESCENT CITY CLASSIC, New Orleans. This race runs from historic Jackson Square through the financial district, along the well-shaded Esplanade Avenue and finishes in City Park. Events include a fitness expo March 28-29, onstage entertainment at Tad Gormley Stadium and a costume contest. 504-861-8686 or Crescent City.

LAOTIAN NEW YEAR’S FESTIVAL, all day, What Tammarattanaram Temple, Lane Xang Village, Melancon Road, New Iberia. Events include dancers, beauty pageant, food, fais do do, basketball and soccer tournaments, water fights and sand castle building. 888-9-IBERIA (888-942-3742).

HERITAGE DAY 2001, Historic Donaldsonville Museum, 318 Mississippi St., Donaldsonville. A salute to the Isleños of Valenzuela and Galveztown with live demonstrations, literary discussions, artist visits, historical skits, storytelling, song and dance performances. Look for a Saturday open-air crafts market and wine tastings. 225-746-0004. or http://www.hdm1806.org

PATTERSON CYPRESS SAWMILL FESTIVAL, Kemper Williams Park and Campground, 264 Cotton Road, Patterson. Family event features almost continuous live music, a cypress sawmill display, softball and horseshoe tournaments, a passe partout (two-person saw) contest, arts and crafts, a street fair with rides and games, a 5K fun run/walk, a Cajun cooking contest and more. Performers include Hunter Hayes, Kevin Naquin & the Ossun Playboys, the Tramps, Na Na Sha and LA Express. Begins Thursday at 5 p.m. 800 256-2931.

LOUISIANA CRAWFISH FESTIVAL, St. Bernard Cultural Center, Chalmette. Enjoy free music as you indulge yourself with boiled crawfish, potatoes and corn, crawfish etouffee, crawfish gumbo, crawfish bread and crawfish sushi balls. Live musical performances, carnival midway with 25 rides for children, games, attractions and more. Hours are Thursday, 5-10 p.m. Thursday, 5 p.m.-midnight Friday, noon-midnight Saturday, and noon-11 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. 504-271-0228.

HOLY FAMILY BEAR FAIR, Holy Family School, 486 Florida Ave., Port Allen. Kids' fun run, karaoke, rides, food, beauty contest, horseshoe contest, and dance. Free admission, but food and ride bracelets must be purchased. 225-383-9536.

ZIPPITY ZOO DAZE, Baton Rouge Zoo, 3601 Thomas Road, Baton Rouge. Music, an open-air art show, crafts, food court, children's stage, karaoke, animal encounters, hot-air balloons, karate and dance exhibitions and bands. Admission is $3.50 for adults and teens, $2.50 for senior citizens, $1.25 for children 2-12. Children less than 2 get in free as do Friends of the Zoo. 225-775-3877.

AUDUBON PILGRIMAGE, St. Francisville. Eleanor Beatty, 225-635-6330.
What makes this pilgrimage unique is its dedication to the time period when John James Audubon lived and taught in West Feliciana Parish while painti ng his famous "Birds of America" series. Historic gardens and homes are featured again this year, plus the Rural Homestead, where rural skills and crafts are demonstrated. As usual, residents in 1820-period costume will dance, sing and guide tours. Musica l events include the Methodist Church Hymn Sing at 7 p.m. Friday and a celebratory organ recital marking 170 years of Grace Church at 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets: $15, available at the West Feliciana Museum on Main Street.

FOREST HILL NURSERY FESTIVAL, Forest Hill. (318) 748-6300.
Rides, food booths, arts and crafts and a 10 a.m. Saturday parade are planned as daytime activities. At night, Kenny and the Heartbreakers play for the Frid ay and Saturday night barn dances at the Academy School gym. By admission. Festival hours: noon-dark Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday.

LOUISIANA STATE CHILI COOK-OFF CONTEST
American Legion Hall, Gonzales. 225.644-5307.
The open cook-off begins with a 9 a.m. meeting, followed by the chili cooking and culminating with the 1 p.m. turn-in and judging. Winner of this state championship travels to Reno for the World Chili Cookoff. There will also be wagon rides for kids and plenty of food and drink.

FESTIVAL DU COURTABLEAU, Main Street area, Washington. (318) 826-5526.
Every year's highlights are food booths, craft displays, an antique and flea market, music by local musicians, a 1 p.m. Saturday parade and tour of Washington's historic homes. A catfish court-bouillon cook-off begins at 9 a.m. Sunday.

CZECH HERITAGE DAYS, Libuse Czech Community Hall, Libuse. Frances Hazmark, (318) 466-3196.
Celebrating 13 years of "fun, food and frolic," this festival opens with the Czech H eritage Dancers, an opening flag ceremony and patriotic songs by the Czechmates of Louisiana at 10 a.m. Saturday. Festivities include a play based on a Czech folktale, live music, entertainment by the Glory Bound Cloggers and plenty of Czech food. Admissi on is free, but there is a charge to Saturday night's Polka Dance, featuring Norbert Blazek and his accordion ($5 couple, $3 single, $1.50 students 12-17 and children free).

LOUISIANA MUSIC EDUCATORS BAND AND ORCHESTRA FESTIVAL, Sco tlandville Magnet High School, 9870 Scotland Ave. 225.775-3715.
Call for dates and times.

AZALEA FESTIVAL, Hammond.
The festival kicks off with the Hammond Art Awards Luncheon at noon Frida y, with an artists reception from 4-7 p.m. at the Hammond Cultural Foundation, 217 E. Thomas. Saturday's events include an azalea farmers market next to the depot, a plant sale and garden tours. A tour of Shadow Creek Gardens is offered on Sunday. Admissi on: varies with event.

CALLING OF THE TRIBES POWWOW, Grand Bois Park, La. 24, Bourg. Corine Paulk, (504) 851-1553.
Three days of dancing competitions, Native Amer ican arts and crafts, food and drums are planned. Camping available. Admission: $2 adults, $1 students, seniors and handicapped admitted free.

GREAT LOUISIANA BIRD FEST , St. Tammany Parish. St. Tammany Tourist Commission, (800) 634-9443, Ext. 150.
A new festival to the spectrum, this event offers birding field trips throughout St. Tammany Parish, seminars, social functions and a bird photography workshop. Saturday evening's banquet, hosted by the Northlake Nature Center, will be from 7-10 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Covington.

SHENANDOAH ELEMENTARY CARNIVAL, Shenandoah Elementary School, corner of Appomattox and Ant ioch, Baton Rouge.
This annual fund-raising carnival fills up the school grounds with rides, food, games and a Friday night jambalaya dinner.

SPRING FIESTA, New O rleans. (504) 581-1367.
Spring is the ideal time to take a stroll through select homes of New Orleans' French Quarter, Garden District, Lower Garden District, Napoleon Avenue and area plantations. In addition to the tours, Spring Fiesta offers lunch at Commander's Palace, presentation of the Spring Fiesta Queen and her court and a 5 p.m. Saturday parade. Tours: $15-$50.

UNCLE EARL'S HOG DOG TRIAL, Fairgrounds, Win nfield. (318) 628-4461.
Known as the largest hog dog trials in America, and definitely the only one named for Uncle Earl Long, events include one- and two-dog bay contests. Money and trophies will be awarded.

ABITA SPRINGS TREASURE HUNT, Abita Springs. (504) 892-0711.
Hundreds of vendors, be they individuals, families, clubs or businesses, host garage sales in this normally sleepy St. Tammany Parish town. The garage doors open at 7 a.m. (maps are available at the town hall). Organizer John Preble says wear comfortable shoes, be prepared to walk and don't even think of seeing it all. In addition, there's a flea market in the Historic District, where anything can be sold or traded, that's open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

BLUEGRASS SPRING FESTIVAL, Old South Jamboree Building, Walker. (225) 698-6310.
Fourteen groups were scheduled for this inaugural festival , including the Liberty Bluesgrass Band, Southland, Sunnyland Bluegrass and Gospel Singers, Driscol Mountain, All Points South, Cooksey Family and Doyle Davis and the Bluegrass a nd Gospel Carriers. Hours: 1 p.m.-midnight. Admission: $8 adults, $5 children ages 6-12, children under 6 free.

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