Louisiana Outdoors A to Z Bayou St. John in New Orleans sets the stage for the Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo (May), where mariners arrive in canoes, rafts, paddleboards and homemade boats to enjoy local music, food, arts and crafts and even a floating bar. Rock out for a good cause at the Voice of the Wetlands festival (October), held in Houma. Some of Louisiana’s biggest blues, jazz and zydeco acts take the stage in this free event that was born in 2004 to create awareness of wetlands preservation in south Louisiana. Canoes, kayaks and pirogues (Cajun canoes) race along the waters of scenic Bayou Teche each fall, paddling to win the annual Tour du Teche (October). Meanwhile, in Madisonville, crowds gather along the Tchefuncte River to watch decorative dragon boats compete in the Greater New Orleans International Dragon Boat Festival (May). Lake Charles’ oldest festival, Contraband Days (May), celebrates the legends of rambunctious citizens— pirates! Buccaneers from around the globe converge on southwest Louisiana, in search of food, music and good old-fashioned mayhem. So dust o that eye patch and come out to meet Jean Lafitte and his band of merry pirates. Look to the skies at Kite Fest Louisiane (April), where professional kite flyers dazzle crowds with their colorful kites dancing intricate ballets. Held in Port Allen, this one-of-a-kind festival in Louisiana encourages the whole family to get involved through kite making and kite design events. West of Lafayette in the “Frog Capital of the World,” the town of Rayne dedicates its annual festival to its favorite amphibian. The Rayne Frog Festival (May) delights visitors with frog racing and jumping events, as well as live music, arts and crafts and the Grand Parade. Don’t miss the "Best Dressed Frog” competition. In West Monroe, everyone’s beloved crustacean takes center stage alongside our most infamous reptile in the Crawfish Gatorfest. For four days in early May, watch some gator wrestling, gawk at the antique cars on display or visit with camels and kangaroos while listening to live entertainment. 20 #OnlyLouisiana
Louisiana Travel Guide 2017: Page 20
