Louisiana Outdoors A to Z F estival season runs year-round in Louisiana, and we use any excuse to soak up some sun, kick up our heels and party while dining on that legendary fest food cuisine. From pirates to frogs, and boats to crawfish, we celebrate each and every thing we cherish about our state and savor sharing it with our many visitors. Take the Central Louisiana Outdoor Adventure Festival (March), a month-long, jam-packed calendar of events held at locations throughout Rapides Parish. More than 30 adventures centered around hiking, biking, running and more highlight the many reasons Alexandria was named one of “America’s Top 100 Adventure Towns” by National Geographic . Other marquee central Louisiana festivals include the Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival (September) and the Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights, now in its 92nd year. The Louisiana Fur & Wildlife Festival (January) in Cameron tests the skills of outdoor enthusiasts in an array of competitions, including trap shooting, retriever dog trials, nutria skinning and oyster shucking. The festival is dubbed “one of the oldest and coldest festivals in Louisiana.” Speaking of delights for outdoor enthusiasts, be sure to catch the Louisiana Sportsman Show taking place in Gonzales in March—Louisiana’s largest hunting and fishing show. Shop for fishing tackle and hunting gear, check out the winners of the Louisiana Sportsman Big Buck Contest and let the kids run free in the Kids Zone. With water running like veins throughout the state, we can’t help but celebrate alongside and on top of our bayous and rivers. Slidell’s Festival Bonfouca features three days of arts and music in the town’s Heritage Park, along the banks of historic Bayou Bonfouca. > PHOTOS: (OPPOSITE PAGE) Festival Acadiens et Créoles; (THIS PAGE, FROM TOP) Mandeville Seafood Festival ©Bill Lang ; Festival of Lights ©Natchitoches CVB ; Rayne Frog Festival ©Lisa Soileaux ; Scott Boudin Festival ©Lafayette CVB http://LouisianaTravel.com 19
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