by Jeanni Ritchie
The smell of caramel apples waft through the air as children’s squeals occasionally drown out the live music playing on a nearby stage. It’s Fall in the South and festivals abound.
Laissez les bons temps rouler…let the good times roll…as you head out with the family, a group of friends, or even on a solo adventure to one of these October events in Louisiana.
• St. Tammany Parish Fair: Covington, Oct. 2-6
• Gretna Fest: Gretna, Oct. 4-6
• Louisiana Cattle Festival: Abbeville, Oct. 4-6
• Roberts Cove Germanfest: Rayne, Oct. 5-6
• Louisiana Food Truck Festival: Slidell, Oct. 5
• Blues, Brews & BBQ: Violet, Oct. 5
• Fried Chicken Festival: New Orleans, Oct. 5-6
• World Championship Gumbo Cookoff: Abbeville, Oct. 8-13
• Louisiana Cotton Festival: Ville Platte, Oct. 9-13
• Rapides Parish Fair: Alexandria, Oct. 9-13
• Abita Fall Fest: Abita Springs Oct. 11-12
• BBQ Cook-off: Pineville, October 11-12
• Festivals Acadiens et Creoles: Lafayette, Oct. 11-13
• Louisiana Gumbo Festival: Chackbay, Oct. 11-13
• Oktoberfest New Orleans: New Orleans, Oct. 11-12, 18-19, and 25-26
• Tappedtober Beer and Wine Festival: Natchitoches, Oct. 12
• NOLA Funk Fest: New Orleans, Oct. 18-20
• Boucherie and Balloon Festival: Sorrento, Oct. 18-20
• Rougarou Fest: Houma, Oct. 18-20
• Acadia Music Fest: Thibodaux, Oct. 19
• A Taste of the Deep South Festival: Baton Rouge, Oct. 19
• Madisonville Wooden Boat Festival: Madisonville, Oct 19-20
• Beneath the Balconies: New Iberia, Oct. 20
• Louisiana Shrimp Festival: New Orleans, Oct. 20
• State Fair of Louisiana: Shreveport, Oct. 20-Nov. 17
• Greater Baton Rouge State Fair: Baton Rouge, Oct. 24- Nov. 3
• Chennault Fest: Monroe, Oct. 25-27
• Sweet Dough Pie Festival: Grand Coteau, Oct. 26
I can’t possibly make them all so send me your photos and share your experiences so I can live vicariously through you and share with the world which ones are not to be missed in 2025!
Jeanni Ritchie can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.
