Hotels by City

Oct. 2-4

• ST. THERESA OF AVILA FESTIVAL OF FRIENDS: Friday-Sunday, St. Theresa of Avila School, Gonzales. Carnival rides, food, children’s games, silent auction, putt-putt golf, football throw game, country store, fun run, live music, jambalaya mini-pot cooking contest.  Friday night is seafood night. (225) 647-8035.

Oct. 3

• 30TH ANNUAL ST. LUKE’S EPISCOPAL ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL: all day, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 8833 Goodwood Blvd. The event features handmade works by at least 100 artists and craftspeople from several southern states. (225) 926-5343.
• 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, all-day gospel show, pet fashion show, collectibles, bloodmobile, etc. Free.
• 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. Tickets, (225) 567-3224.

Oct. 3-4

• FESTIVAL OF QUILTS: Cottonport Museum, 220 Cottonport Avenue, Cottonport. Quilters display their wares, while arts and crafts booths provide holiday shopping opportunities. (318) 876-3797.
• ROBERTS COVE GERMANFEST: 7212 Roberts Cove Road, Roberts Cove. Traditional German foods, entertainment, heritage museum, authentic gifts, family environment.  For details, go to http://www.Robertscovegermanfest.com
• 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. Landscape architects, contractors, arborists, designers, and horticultural specialists will be on hand to answer questions and help you find just the right plants for your setting. (225) 767-6916 or http://www.lsu.edu/hilltop

Oct. 4

• LATIN FESTIVAL: 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Catholic Deaf Center, 2585 Brightside Drive. Latin foods, folk dances, Latin music, arts and crafts, games, children’s activities and more. Benefits the Hispanic Apostolate of the Diocese of Baton Rouge. Admission $3, free for children under age 12.
• 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, music, exhibits, historic craft demonstrations, mule driven cane grinding, syrup making, sweets contest, etc. (225) 336-2422.
• 3RD ANNUAL PAPA GEORGE FAIRCHILD JAMBALAYA COOKOFF: St. Gabriel Catholic Church, St. Gabriel. Benefit for St. Jude Children’s Hospital. (225) 642-9724.

Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25

• ANGOLA PRISON RODEO: Louisiana State Penitentiary, Angola. 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. Gates open at 9 a.m.; show starts at 2 p.m.; crafts open until 5 p.m. Tickets are $10. For more information, go to http://www.angolarodeo.com

Oct. 6-10

• JEFFERSON DAVIS PARISH FAIR: Parish fairgrounds, Hwy. 26 South. Exhibits, great food, live music, entertainment, petting zoo and livestock judging. (337) 824-1773.

Oct. 6-11

• LIVINGSTON PARISH FAIR: Fair grounds, Livingston. Pageants, food, Saturday night dance, carnival rides, rodeo, exhibits and more. (225) 686-1333.

Oct. 9-11

• NATCHITOCHES PILGRIMAGE: various locations, Natchitoches. The Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches presents its annual fall tour of homes. Among the houses on the tour are the Steel Magnolia House, Scott Corner House, Chaplin House, Secret Garden, Soldini House, Melrose Plantation, Oakland Plantation, Cherokee Plantation and many others. Tickets, call (800) 259-1714. Candlelight tour is Friday, Oct. 9.
• SUNSHINE FESTIVAL: Old Louisiana State Fairgrounds, Donaldsonville. Midway rides are the big draw of this family-friendly festival. Also look for games, food, and family entertainment. (225) 473-4814.
• WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GUMBO COOK-OFF & FOOD FESTIVAL: Bouligny Plaza, Main St., New Iberia. Fais do do, 7- 10 p.m. Friday; food festival, shopping, live entertainment Saturday; gumbo cook-off on Sunday with more than 80 teams participating. Bands featured are Chubby Carriere & the Bayou Swamp Boys, Jamie Bergeron & the Kickin’ Cajuns, Krossfyre and others. Go to http:// www.iberiachamber.org
• FESTIVALS ACADIENS: Lafayette. (800) 346-1958 or http://www.festivalsacadiens.com. Packed with food, entertainment and other events, this  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, 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 performers (and crowds) from all over the state.

Oct. 10-11

• WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL: Madisonville. One-of-a-kind artwork and crafts, regional cuisine, tribute to handcrafted wooden boats of the Gulf Coast. Every child can build his own toy boat. Visitors will enjoy music, crafts, parades, contests and more. Hundreds of boats gather on the Tchefuncte River for this event. Go to http://www.woodenboatfest.org
• OLDIES BUT GOODIES FEST AND SMOKIN’ OLDIES COOK-OFF: grounds of the West Baton Rouge Tourist Information & Conference Center, 2750 N. Westport Drive, Port Allen. Barbecue cook-off, live music with Mason McClain featuring Kenny Fife, poker run, dancing to ’50s and ’60s music, children’s games, jitterbug and twist dance contests, antique cars, performance by Brandon Bennett and more. Benefit for the St. Jude Dream Day Foundation. (225) 344-2920.

Oct. 11

• BATON ROUGE ITALIAN FESTA: 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Sheraton Atrium, downtown Baton Rouge. Little Italy shopping village, children’s activities, Italian food, desserts and drinks, vino stroll, bocce ball, dancers and cheerleaders, presentation of Italian maids, celebrity pizza-eating contest, music by Floyd Brown Band, Rewind, Bobby Lonero and others.

Oct. 13-18

• 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. Festivities include authentic Acadian music, contredanse, cookery contest, carnival, fais do do, harvest mass, colorful parade, and more. Go to http://www.evangelinetourism.com for details.

Oct. 15 (and again Oct. 17)

• ATAKAPAS TRADE DAYS: Longfellow Evangeline State Historic Site, St. Martinville. Demonstrations on open-fire cooking, blacksmithing, leather working, and firing of black-powder weapons. The first festival is designed for schoolchildren. The second festival is designed for the public. (337) 394-3754.

Oct. 15-17

• INTERNATIONAL RICE FESTIVAL: Parkerson Ave., (La. 13) downtown Crowley. Live entertainment, cooking contest, parade, fiddle contest, accordion contest, etc. Go to http://www.ricefestival.com for details.

Oct. 16-18

• INTERNATIONAL ACADIAN FESTIVAL: C.M. “Mike” Zito Multi-Purpose Center grounds, La. 75, Plaquemine. The event will offer plenty of festival food, arts and crafts, art show, cooking contest, games, carnival rides, and live music by D.J. Kool-Aid, Steve Junot, Louisiana, Jenny Brooks, Foret Tradition and others. Go to http://www.acadianfestival.org
• ANDOUILLE FESTIVAL: Hwy. 51 Park near the St. John Center, LaPlace. Food, music, arts and crafts, cooking contests, and rides. Live entertainment all weekend. Go to http://www.sjbparish.com
• ST. ISIDORE OCTOBERFEST FAIR: St. Isidore Catholic Church, corner of Plank and Thomas roads. Live music, chicken and sausage gumbo cook-off, jambalaya cookoff, auction, raffle, carnival rides, bingo, horseshoe tournament, buffet lunch on Sunday. Go to http://www.stisidorecommunity.org
• BOUCHERIE FESTIVAL: Reynolds Lambert Park, Ascension Civic Center, Airline Highway, Sorrento. This 32nd annual festival celebrates the Cajun Boucherie with activities like the cracklin’ cooking world championship competition, live music, a pageant, Cajun food, carnival rides, and dancing. Hosted by the Sorrento Lions Club, proceeds go to Lions Club programs, including the Crippled Children’s Camp. (225) 675-8515 or (888) 675-6550.

Oct. 17

• LOUISIANA BOOK FESTIVAL: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., State Library of Louisiana area, downtown Baton Rouge. This 7th annual event lets visitors interact with more than 150 writers, poets and storytellers, and enjoy a variety of book-related activities, exhibits and demonstrations. There’s also food and music and crafts for all ages. http://www.louisianabookfestival.org

Oct. 17-18

• 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, crab cakes and more. Go to http://www.oakalleyplantation.com
• 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, cornmill grinding,  raffles, and much more. (985) 878-2360 or http://www.oldfarmersday.com

Oct. 17-18, 24-25

• BOO AT THE ZOO: 9:30 a.m.-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. Penny the Elephant will welcome children and pose for photos. Wear your costume. Regular zoo admission applies. (225) 775-3877.

Oct. 24

• WASHINGTON PARISH FAIR: Parish Fairgrounds, Franklinton. The event features a parade, carnival midway, rodeo, queen’s contest, exhibits, musical entertainment, fine arts, photography, youth exhibits, crafts, food, children’s activities, and more. Go to http://www.freefair.com for more information.

Oct. 21-25

• 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. 22-Nov. 1

• GREATER BATON ROUGE STATE FAIR: BREC’s Airline Highway Park/Fairgrounds, Baton Rouge. Attractions include special events, giant carnival midway, food booths, and live music featuring Kenny Neal, the Iguanas, Patrick Henry & the Liberation Band, Stormy the Band, David St. Romain, After 8, Kira Viator, and others. (225) 755-FAIR or http://www.gbrsf.com

Oct. 23-26

• VAMPIRE FEST: various venues, New Orleans. Literary panel hosted by writer Gabrielle Faust, screening of international slate of vampire and Gothic films. (Filmmakers can submit Gothic, zombie, werewolf and ghost and witch films until September 16.) Go to http://www.vampirefilmfestival.com for details.

Oct. 23-25

• FRENCH FOOD FESTIVAL: LaRose Regional Park, off La. 308. The old-fashioned food festival will again offer Cajun cooking, carnival rides, folklife demonstrations, music and dancing. More than 20 local specialty dishes will be for sale at decorated food booths. For details, go to http://www.bayoucivicclub.org

Oct. 24

• HARVEST MOON FEST: 6 a.m.-10 p.m., Main Street, downtown Franklin. Welcome fall with all-day festivities, including live music, a children’s carnival, teen activities, an antique, hot rod, classic car and motorcycle show, concessions and special retail promotions. Details, call (337) 828-6326  or go to http://cajuncoast.com

Oct. 24-25

• ANNUAL YELLOW LEAF ARTS FESTIVAL: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 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. 25

• FEAST ON THE LEVEE: beginning at 11 a.m., St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 402 S. Kirkland Dr., River Road, Brusly. Great food, children’s activities, spacewalk, Euro jump, cake-baking contest, sweet shop, raffles, silent auction, and more. Live music by Feliciana and Foret Tradition. (225) 749-2189.
• HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL: noon-3 p.m., Cyr Gates Community Center, 300 Parkview Drive, New Iberia. Costume contest, games, concessions. (337) 942-3742.

Oct. 29

• NEW ORLEANS OPERA: You won't want to miss THE most exciting, spectacularly fun, Pre-Halloween event in New Orleans! The 21st Annual Wine and Spirits Auction In partnership with the Inn on Bourbon, our event will be held within the footprint of the storied Old French Opera House 541 Bourbon Street. Enjoy live entertainment by the Joe Krown Trio, dancing, food, drink and the main event the SPIRITED live auction staring auctioneers Laura Buchtel and Rob Nelson of WWL-TV's Morning News Live and silent auction items will include wine, spirits, and a very rare, beautifully framed work of art All courtesy of private donors, local and nationally known wineries, vineyards, distilleries, artists, chefs, restaurants, and The Inn On Bourbon. Transform yourself into a favorite opera denizen, diva, or paramour to participate in our Death By Opera contest as COSTUMING is highly encouraged...but not at all required. More details will arrive soon!! Ample seating will be available. Dress is cocktail or costume! 6:30 PM Patron Party and Auction events ~ $75 7:30 PM Auction events ~ $50 To purchase tickets, please contact Gina M. Klein, 504-529-2278 x227

Oct. 31

• ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church, 422 Valhi Blvd., Houma. Live music, raffles, crawfish boil, children’s games, pony rides, silent auction, country store, crafters’ tents, great food. Benefit for local charities. (985) 879-1865.

Festiaval dates in 2008. If not listed above use contact info listed here.

• 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
  

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.
  

• 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

Festivals La Louisianne

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