FESTIVAL FEVER: Plan your trip around one of these Gulf Coast events – 225 Travel East – Special advertising section
LOUISIANA
New Orleans Wine ?and Food Experience
5/19-5/23
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One of the most prestigious festivals of its kind, NOWFE celebrates 18 years of wine and food bringing together world-renowned winemakers, celebrated chefs and industry insiders for a signature event. French Quarter, CBD, and fine restaurants throughout Greater New Orleans. www.nowfe.com
Plaquemines Parish ?Seafood Festival
5/22-5/24
An annual celebration of the rich and vibrant heritage of the people of Plaquemines Parish. Enjoy local seafood and other unique food specialties fixed as only bayou folks can fix them, along with continuous music, from traditional Cajun instruments for two-steppin’ to local cover bands, crafts from local artisans, carnival and helicopter rides. Belle Chasse.
www.plaqueminesparishfestival.com
The Essence Music Festival
7/3-7/5
Now in its 15th year, the biggest African-American festival of its kind showcases a stellar lineup of musical talent with concerts in the Louisiana Superdome, inspiring seminars, history, community and a marketplace. New Orleans.
www.essencemusicfestival.com
Mandeville Seafood Festival
7/4
The second-oldest festival held in St. Tammany Parish, featuring seafood and alternative dishes, arts and craft booths, children’s entertainment area, and live music throughout the event, plus fireworks show.
985.624.9762
Slidell Heritage Festival
7/4
Good old-fashioned family fun for the Fourth of July in Olde Towne. Featuring great Louisiana cuisine, drinks, foot-stomping music and children’s events. Don’t miss the fireworks over Bayou Bonfouca. Heritage Park, Slidell.
985.643.1234 or www.slidellheritagefest.org
Tales of the Cocktail
7/8-7/12
Described as “the most spirited event of the summer,” this festival now in its seventh year celebrates cocktails, cuisine and culture with more than 100 separate events and seminars. New Orleans.
www.talesofthecocktail.com
Satchmo Summerfest
7/30-8/2
With New Orleans as Louis Armstrong’s musical inspiration, it is only fitting that the festival named in his honor celebrates his life and the culture he loved so much. Lounge at the Old U.S. Mint while listening to music by brass bands and traditional and contemporary jazz bands. French Quarter, New Orleans.
www.fqfi.org
MISSISSIPPI
14th Annual Billy Creel Memorial Gulf Coast Wooden Boat Show
5/16-5/17
Celebrate historic, antique, classic and contemporary wooden boats at the largest gathering of watercraft on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Wooden Boat Show features exhibits, demonstrations, music, children’s activities, good food, contests, prizes and more. Biloxi.
www.maritimemuseum.org
Crab Fest
7/3-7/5
One of the biggest outdoor events on the Mississippi Gulf Coast! Loads of arts and crafts booths, jewelry, candles, clothes and, of course, food. This festival features rides and other attractions, as well as cotton candy, live music and plenty of seafood. Bay St. Louis.
228.467.6509
Biloxi Seafood Festival
9/13-9/14
The last taste of summer. Voted best Mississippi event of the year by Mississippi’s Tourist Association in the past. A gumbo championship, jambalaya, shrimp and fried fish will round out the large selection of succulent seafood. Live music from country to rock played throughout the day. Biloxi Town Green.
228.604.0014
ALABAMA
Gulf Coast Zydeco Music & Crawfish Festival
5/15-5/17
The best zydeco bands from southwest Louisiana, Creole/Cajun food and dance instruction. Don’t miss the “Low Country Crawfish Boil!” Daphne.
251.626.5300 or www.gulfcoastzydecomusicfestival.com
BamaJam Music and Arts Festival
6/4-6/6
This year’s artist lineup includes: Kid Rock, Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Taylor Swift, Randy Owen, The Black Crowes, Gary Allen, Los Lonely Boys, Charlie Daniels, Blake Shelton and many more. Enterprise.
www.bamajammusicfestival.com
5th Annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival
6/19-6/21
Forty brightly colored hot air balloons are the stars of the festival, and, weather permitting, visitors can enjoy seeing them in the air at sunrise and sunset. In addition to the balloons, the festival includes great music throughout the weekend, arts and crafts, a children’s village, and fireworks on Saturday evening. Foley.
www.gulfcoastballoonfestival.com
77th Annual Alabama ?Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo
7/17-7/19
Nation’s largest salt-water fishing rodeo with more than 3,000 fishermen competing for prizes, including large jackpots, boats and other items. Festivities kick-off with the Liars Contest held on July 16, then the true fishing action begins. Dauphin Island, Mobile Bay area.
251.471.0025 or www.adsfr.com
Gulf Coast Ethnic & Heritage Jazz Festival
7/30-8/2
An educational and entertaining musical experience. Many events and concerts associated with this festival are free to the public. Mobile Bay area.
251.473.5020 or gcehjazzfest.com
12th Annual International Beer Festival
8/29
Think globally, drink locally! Spend the evening visiting participating taverns and restaurants, tasting more than 60 different microbrews and imports. Downtown Mobile Bay.
251.208.7540 or www.ncsmobile.org
15th Annual BayFest ?Music Festival
10/2-10/4
BayFest is the host of more than 125 national, regional and local artists that play on nine stages over a three-day weekend, this year headlined by the Steve Miller Band. Downtown Mobile.
www.bayfest.com
FLORIDA
60th Annual Fiesta Days Celebration
6/4
Feast on wonderful food and great regional entertainment. Historic Seville Quarter comes alive with decorations and food in five rooms, each representing one of the five countries that have governed Pensacola: Spanish, French, British, Confederate and U.S. Immediately preceding the Fiesta Days Celebration, take part in the Surrender of the City, at Plaza de Luna at Palafox Pier. Pensacola.
850.433.6512 or www.fiestaoffiveflags.org
54th Billy Bowlegs Festival
6/4-6/8
Arrrr! It’s a family-friendly pirate uprising. Local and regional bands, food, arts and crafts, a torchlight parade, children’s activities, fireworks and, of course, pirates. Fort Walton Beach.
www.fwbchamber.org
Sertoma’s Fourth of July Celebration
7/4
This family-oriented, patriotic celebration is the ?largest Fourth of July celebration on the Gulf Coast. ?The day-long activities begin at 10 a.m. in Seville ?Square and culminate in a huge fireworks display ?over Pensacola Bay.
850.433.9866 or www.pensacolasertomajuly4th.org
Pensacola Beach Air Show
7/11-7/12
With Pensacola as its home base, the Navy’s world-famous Blue Angels perform two shows in Pensacola each year. Supported by civilian and other military performers, the Pensacola Beach Air Show is a ?must-see event. Free admission.
850.932.1500 or www.visitpensacolabeach.com
Jamaican Fest
8/29-8/31
Featuring live music, The Kids Zone, sidewalk sale and the “Anything that Floats” race in the Santa Rosa Sound. Portofino Boardwalk, Pensacola Beach.
850.932.1500 or www.visitpensacolabeach.com
31st Annual Pensacola ?Seafood Festival
9/25-9/27
Sample a variety of mouth-watering seafood dishes, enjoy continuous live entertainment in Fountain Park and start your holiday shopping early at more than 185 arts and crafts vendors.
850.433.6512 or www.fiestaoffiveflags.org
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