Spring isn't just baseball season in south Louisiana, it's also festival time.
Here's a glance at four festivals taking place in Baton Rouge and surrounding areas during April:
PONCHATOULA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL: noon-11 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Memorial Park, 301 N. 6th St. Strawberries star in all sorts of food and drink, along with other typical fest cuisine. There's also live music, a street fair, parade at 9:30 a.m. Saturday and contests including strawberry eating and egg toss. While you're in town, peruse the many antique shops, gift shops, boutiques and other businesses along Pine Street, including the Country Market. https://www.lastrawberryfestival.com/
NEW IBERIA SPANISH FESTIVAL: Friday-Sunday, April 19-21, 102 W. Main St. The festival marks its 10th anniversary with a paella/jambalaya/tapas cook-off, Running of the Bulls 5K/1 Mile, arts & craft vendors, founding families parade, car show, live music and food. Don't forget to walk through Church Alley under the crochet ceiling. http://www.newiberiaspanishfestival.com/
ITALIAN FESTIVAL: 5 p.m.–11 p.m. Friday, April 26; 10 a.m.–11 p.m. Saturday, April 27; and 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sunday, April 28, U.S. 51 (next to City Hall), Tickfaw. Spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, pizza, Italian ice, stuffed artichokes, cannoli, Italian tea, Italian cookies and muffulettas — and that's just the Italian food that will be served up all weekend. Also look for traditional festival fare, carnival rides from Gold Star Amusement, live music and arts & crafts. A parade rolls at 10 a.m. Saturday, with SLU head football Coach Frank Scelfo as grand marshal. The annual spaghetti cookoff precedes the festival, beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday, April 20, same location as festival. https://www.theitalianfestivalorg.com/
ÉTOUFFÉE FESTIVAL: Friday-Sunday, April 25-28, 370 Main St., Arnaudville. The mayor's cook-off will feature a diverse variety of étouffées including crawfish, seafood, vegetable, and wild game. Visitors can also take in carnival rides, live music, bingo, vendors, an auto show and more. https://www.arnaudvillecatholic.org/etouffee-festival
— Judy Bergeron