Summer Festivals in New Orleans

New Orleans is famous for it's food, music, and it's ability to throw a great party. The Summer of 2011 is no exception. The following are some of the local festivals adding to the fun of summertime.

Opelousas Spice and Music Festival is being held June 2-5 at South City Park in Opelousas. Cajun music and Zydeco will be featured, as well as delicious food items, carnival rides, craft and music workshops. A pageant parade will also be taking place. Tickets are $5 for adults, and $3 for children. For more information, check out their website at opelousasspiceandmuscifestival.com.

The Back to the Beach Festival will take place June 3 '" 5 on Williams Boulevard at Lake Pontchartrain in Kenner. The festival includes food, music, games, a kid's only area, run/walk event, bike event, and a car show. All proceeds benefit the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation. For more details, check out saveourlake.org.

The New Orleans Oyster Festival kicks off June 4-5. This festival includes local music, oyster eating and shucking contests, a contest for the largest oyster, and oyster dishes from local restaurants. Located on the 500 block of Decatur Street in New Orleans, additional information is available at neworleansoysterfestival.org.

The weekend of June 11-12 features three great festivals. The French Market Creole Tomato Festival will be held in the New Orleans French Market. This is the 25^th annual celebration of the Creole tomato. Cooking demonstrations, food and music, along with tomato tastings make this festival a treat. Check out frenchmarket.org for more information.

The Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival will host food, music, crafts, and cooking demonstrations. Among the musicians performing are three Grammy Award winners: BeauSoliel, Chubby Carrier, and Terrance Simien. The fun will be happening at the Old US Mint at 400 Esplanade Avenue. See cajunzydecofest.com.

Rounding out the busy weekend is the Louisiana Seafood Festival, also at the Old US Mint. Held in conjunction with the Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Music Festival and the French Market Creole Tomato Festival, it will also host cooking demonstrations, delicious food, music and crafts. For more information, call 503.286.8736.

The Beauregard Watermelon Festival in Beauregard Parish Fairgrounds, DeRidder, is scheduled for June 23-25. Featuring Cajun and swamp pop music, lots of watermelon, seed-spitting and watermelon eating contests, this festival is fun for the whole family. Call 800.738.5534 for additional information.

June 25 is the Everything French Festival held at The Shops at Canal Place in New Orleans. Area French restaurants offer tastings of French wine and food, as well as music. In addition, members of the Joan of Arc Krewe will be appearing. Additional information at facc-la.com

The Essence Music Festival will be rocking the Louisiana Superdome and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans July 1 '" 3. The line-up includes, Usher, Jennifer Hudson, Kanye West, Fantasia, Irma Thomas, Macy Gray, Mavis Staples, and Charlie Wilson to name a few. Tickets are on sale now, check out the essencemusicfestival.com website for more information.

July 4^th will be celebrated with many local festivals, including the Eunice Fourth of July Celebration at the Eunice Recreation Complex and the Let Freedom Ring Festival in Thibodaux. The Slidell Heritage Festival, in Heritage Park, will also feature the requisite music, food, games and fireworks, and will be raising money for charity. Additional information at slidellheritagefest.org.

Round out your summer by attending the Grande Isle Tarpon Rodeo, the oldest fishing rodeo in North America. Enjoy great food and music along with games and contests. All happening at the Tarpon Rodeo Pavilion in Grade Isle. Call 504.615.0099 for additional information.

Festivals go year round in Louisiana, but these should make for some wonderful summer memories.