4 Fun Family Festivals on the Louisiana Northshore
Louisiana’s Northshore offers a variety of fall festivals ideal for families
Words by Paige Townley
There’s always something going on in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana’s Northshore. That’s what beckoned people to the area north of Lake Pontchartrain in the 1800s, and today it’s what continues to welcome visitors today with so many unique attractions, delectable culinary offerings, and opportunities to experience the great outdoors.
Making the destination even more unique is that the Parish is comprised of distinctive communities, each packed with its own personality and charm, and each offering ways to celebrate the arrival of fall in its own distinctive way. Better yet is that these communities have planned those celebrations this fall in the most family-friendly ways. Check out four of our favorite festivals going on in St. Tammany Parish this season and why the Northshore is continuing to live up to its reputation for all things celebration.
Louisiana Food Truck Festival
For a time focused on a delicious array of culinary fare, there’s the Louisiana Food Truck Festival. The always-anticipated festival attracts food trucks from near and far to the area for this one-day event. While there are plenty of flavors to be celebrated for the festival on October 8, there’s so much more for attendees to partake in—there will also be live entertainment, vendor booths, and even kid-friendly activities like the Kid’s Zone.
Bluesberry Music and Art Festival
The community of Covington is bringing together music, art, food, and culture on October 8 with the Bluesberry Music and Art Festival. Making the event even more unique is that it has a unique blueberry twist: there will be culinary dishes featuring blueberries and performances by Blues-centric artists from, as well as live art demonstration and locally crafted brew.
Madisonville Wooden Boat Festival
To be held October 15 and 16, the annual Madisonville Wooden Boat Festival celebrates the community’s 30-plus years on the banks of the Tchefuncte River. This fun family festival brings in more than 100 classic boats and many more spectator boats and boat enthusiasts for two days of pure celebration. The agenda features a plethora of activities for the kids over the course of the festival, including arts and crafts, boat building contest and parade, and even a cardboard boat regatta.
Abita Fall Fest
Last but certainly not least on the family-friendly festival schedule is the Abita Fall Fest. To be held November 4 and 5 in Abita Springs, the two-day festival has something for every member of the family. The event will feature bands on multiple stages, delicious local cuisine, and plenty of activities and entertainment specifically for children.
With so much activity in an easily accessible destination—the Northshore is situated at the intersection of three major interstates—St. Tammany Parish should certainly be on your must-visit list this fall. And whatever festival draws you here—whether it’s one or perhaps all four—there’s plenty of family-friendly celebration waiting to welcome you.
*Boat photo courtesy of Bill Lang