5 Best Festivals For The Family In Louisiana

Nobody hosts as many festivals as we do in Louisiana. As soon as the sunshine and warmth of the spring hits the air, people want to get outside and get together. You name it, we have a festival for it. Jambalaya, shrimp, oysters, strawberries, alligators, wooden boats, and any type of music you can think of all have their own festival. In fact, from March first through May thirty first, there are fifteen major festivals within a two hour drive of Baton Rouge. That equals more than one festival per weekend. So, as the days get longer and the weather gets more cooperative, it’s only natural to want to throw the family in the car and take part in the festivities. That is why we have put together a list of the 5 best festivals for the family in Louisiana.

Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival

April 7-9 in Ponchatoula, the Strawberry Festival is a must for the whole family. They have two stages of music all weekend long. They also have carnival rides and games for the kids. Saturday morning, they have parade through Ponchatoula. There’s a 10K, 5K, and fun run Sunday morning. Of course, there is plenty to eat. While they have strawberries prepared in every way imaginable, there is also a jambalaya cook-off, and all the indulgences you expect to find at a festival.

Contraband Days Festival

This one is a bit further from Baton Rouge, but Contraband Days in Lake Charles, Louisiana is a ton of fun. Also known as the Louisiana Pirate Festival, Contraband Days runs from May 4^th through the 14^th this year. It features over 100 events based in or around the Lake Charles Civic Center. The festival was founded 60 years ago as a way to celebrate pirate Jean Lafitte, who, as legend has it, would evade enemies by ducking into Contraband Bayou in Lake Charles while he traveled back and forth between New Orleans and Galveston. Contraband Days features a full slate of music over the course of the festival, as well as an array of food, fireworks shows, and also serves as a fundraiser for a large number of non-profit organizations in the area.

Greater New Orleans International Dragon Boat Festival

The Greater New Orleans International Dragon Boat Festival is located in Madisonville, Louisiana and will be held on May 13^th this year. Beautifully adorned boats, in the style of ancient Chinese dragon boats, are manned by 20 member crews and raced in the Tchefuncte River. The 500 meter races are accompanied by a festival on the river front with food, a beer garden, and live entertainment. The Dragon Boat Festival is also a fundraiser for the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. The races are fun, the mood is upbeat, and the surroundings on the banks of the Tchefuncte are incredibly relaxing.

The New Orleans Air Show

Though technically this isn’t labeled as a festival, if you’re looking for something out of the ordinary that will leave your kids’ jaws on the floor, the New Orleans Air Show is perfect. It takes place April 22^nd and 23^rd in Belle Chase, Louisiana. The stars of the weekend are the world renowned Blue Angels, but they are just one group of many performing in the skies above the Big Easy. Aside from what is in the air, there is an aviation themed kids’ zone. It features a rock wall, a space camp combo, a quad jump, just to name a few items.

Gonzales Jambalaya Festival

You don’t have to stray too far from home for this one. The Gonzales Jambalaya Festival will take place May 26^th and 27^th this year. Every year, the festival features a car show, a pageant, a 5K and one mile run, an arts and crafts show, and of course, the jambalaya cook-off. There are also, carnival rides, game booths, and live entertainment, all in the heart of Gonzales to kick off Memorial Day weekend.

These are just a few of the options for loading the family into the Volkswagen and enjoying some wholesome weekend entertainment. That’s one of the great things about life in South Louisiana, there’s never a shortage of reasons to get outside and make the most of our free time. Regardless of which Volkswagen you drive, be it a Jetta, a Golf Alltrack, or a CC, you can load up the family and know that your safety and comfort are in good hands regardless of where you’re headed. One thing we do recommend before you hit the road, is to make sure your Volkswagen’s service is up to date. After that, get out there and make the most of festival season.

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