Festivals abound in October

The Tri-parishes are abuzz with festivals this month. We’re celebrating everything from our heritage, a local plantation and, of course, food!

Here’s a rundown of just a few of the options…

Bayou Music Festival – Oct. 1-2

Oakridge Park in Golden Meadow is the site for this festival.

The full day’s fun includes 15 bands – including Vin Bruce, the Hurricane Levee Band, Nonc Nu and the Wild Matous and Sunday’s headliner, Treater – performing zydeco, country, rock, pop and Cajun styles for all generations. The Golden Meadow Rotary Club, sponsors of the two-day event, also promises a supervised pay-one-price Kid’s Zone featuring a variety of inflatables.

Also, expect some great food: jambalaya, grillades, burgers and more.

The hours are 10 to 2 a.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday.

Cajun Fest – Oct. 1

The South Lafourche Public Library is hosting its annual Cajun Fest from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In addition to presentations by Windell Curole and Dr. John Doucet, storytelling and performances by Vin Bruce and Harry Anselmi, a free chicken and sausage jambalaya lunch is included. The festival also includes demonstrations by local carvers, quilters and artists.

The event is free. The library is located at 16241 E. Main St. in Cut Off.

Cut Off Youth Center Fair – Oct. 14-16

Gary T, The Groove, LACrosse, Palomino, Born on the Bayou and the Hurricane Levee Band headline this year’s Cut Off Youth Center Fair entertainment. The festival offers pay-one-price ride bracelets ($15 for a four-hour session or $45 for the entire weekend), biddy basketball games and contests, and a chance to win a $6,000 raffle.

Added to this year’s lineup are visits by Hal Martin, the “Ragin’ Cajun” of NOLA Motorsports/US Forensic Toyota Camry, who will be signing autographs from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday. On Saturday, “Swamp People” trappers Joe Lafont and Trigger Tommy will be greeting the crowd.

And youth center director D’Lynn Boudreaux promises a wide variety of food, from jambalaya and fried shrimp to chicken wings and po-boys.

Laurel Valley Fall Festival – Oct. 16

Set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Thibodaux plantation, this festival celebrates Laurel Valley Plantation, the largest surviving 19th century sugar plantation complex left in the U.S.

The day includes cultural demonstrations, arts and crafts, a Cajun lunch and tours of the site.

Proceeds go toward restoring and preserving the site.

40th Annual Louisiana

Gumbo Festival – Oct. 21-23

The Gumbo Festival is hosted by the Chackbay Volunteer Fire Department and is a local favorite.

This year’s musical lineup includes Overtime, No Exit, Bandit, Kenny Fife and the Bac Trac Band, Heart ‘n’ Soul, Don Rich, Good Feelin Band, Ruff N Ready, Foret Tradition and Junior and Sumtin Sneaky.

A carnival midway with pay-one-price rides and, on Sunday, firemen’s parade and live auction provide fun for all ages.

In additional to gumbo of all blends, the fest’s fare includes traditional fair foods – hot dogs and burgers and many other choices. Beer, daiquiris and mixed drinks, as well as sodas are also sold.

The festival is held at the Choupic Fair Grounds on La. Highway 304, just north of Thibodaux.

Bayou Dularge Knights of Columbus Cajun Fair and Fishing Rodeo – Oct. 21-23

The annual fishing rodeo offers freshwater, saltwater and kids’ divisions.

Back on land, visitors can enjoy carnival rides, auctions, plenty of Cajun food and live music by Ruff N Ready, Tet Dur, Blue Eyed Soul, Seabrook and Highway 315. “Swamp People” guides Joe Lafont and Tommy Chauvin visit the fairgrounds from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday.

Larose Civic Center

French Food Festival – Oct. 28-30

The Larose center’s three-day fest is held at the town’s regional park. Performers include Gary T, Brandon Foret, Waylon Thibodeaux, Junior Lacrose, Crush, Southern Cross, Don Rich and the Hurricane Levee Band.

But the real highlight takes place under the big tent. That’s where visitors will find Cajun cooking, folklife fun and dancing galore.

More than 20 different local specialty dishes are featured: shrimp boulettes, crawfish etouffe, seafood gumbo, alligator sauce piquante and more. There are also plenty of sweets to satisfy all cravings.

The festival features an old-fashioned carnival midway and Cajun life demonstrations, as well as a 5K and 3K Bridge Run starting at Larose Lower Elementary.

12th annual Franklin Harvest

Moon Festival – Oct. 29

Downtown Franklin is the site of the annual festival, which kicks off the holiday shopping season.

Set for 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., the day-long event includes live entertainment, children’s activities, arts and crafts, a 5K Run/Walk, an antique, hot-rod, classic car and motorcycle show, bass fishing tourney, art show, barbecue cookoff and more.

Racers make their way through Downtown Franklin during the Franklin Harvest Moon Festival.

 

Harvest Moon