Festivals Happening this Weekend: April 20 through April 23

Get ready to hear some Blues music in Baton Rouge, celebrate New Iberia's Spanish roots, wear a Scottish tartan in Minden, and a lot more during this weekend's festivals in Louisiana.

Scottish TartanPhoto byFacebook

With some of the biggest festivals of the year just around the corner, the State of Louisiana is getting into high festival gear.

Here are some of the festivals happening this weekend.

Baton Rouge Blues Festival - April 22 & 23

Rhorer Plaza, North Boulevard, and Lafayette Street

Located in Downtown Baton Rouge, the annual BR Blues Festival encourages the promotion, preservation, and advancement of native swamp blues music. Performers include Chris Leblanc, Luther Kent, The Peterson Brothers, TK Hulin, Johnny Allen, Kenny Acosta, and many, many more.

Opening ceremonies are Saturday, April 22, at 11:30 AM.

El Festival Español de Nueva Iberia (New Iberia) - April 21, 22, 23

102 W Main Street

New Iberia's Spanish roots are celebrated at El Festival Español de Nueve Iberia with a Dave Robichaux Running of the Bulls 5K race, a re-enactment of the arrival of the Spanish on Bayou Teche, a Downtown Art Walk featuring Spanish art, Spanish family genealogy, and a paella/jambalaya cook-off. Food demonstrations, live music, exhibits, and guest lectures happen throughout the weekend.

The festival runs from 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM Friday, 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM Saturday, and 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Sunday.

Scottish Tartan Festival (Minden) - April 22

Miller's Quarters - 182 Gleason Street

Happening Saturday, April 22, at Miller's Quarters in Minden, the Scottish Tartan Festival will celebrate Scottish, Irish, and Celtic heritages with a day of traditional music, dance, games, storytelling, and demonstrations. Don't miss the Boniest Knees Contest.

Gates open at 10:00 AM. Admission is $10 for adults; $5 for ages 6 to 11; Free for those 5 and under. Guests are encouraged to wear traditional Scottish, Irish, Welsh, or Celtic attire.

La Fete Du Monde (Raceland) - April 21, 22, 23

4484 Highway 1

Known as the Swamp Pop extravaganza of Louisiana's Cajun Bayou, La Fete Du Monde takes place at the Lafourche Parish Pavilion, Hwy 1 at Hwy 90. Enjoy Cajun fun, food, music, games, and carnival rides.

The fun starts at 6 PM on Friday and 10 AM on Saturday and Sunday. Gates close at 11 PM Friday and Saturday and 6 PM on Sunday.

Ascension Parish Fair (Gonzales) - April 20, 21, 22, 23

9039 S St. Landry Avenue

Beginning with a family night on Thursday, April 20, the Ascension Parish Fair runs through Sunday, April 23, at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales. Live music, carnival rides, a free petting zoo, food, and lots of fun will happen throughout the weekend. Admission is free.

Ride wristbands cost:

• $15 Thursday night
• $25 Friday night (5-hour time slot)
• $25 Saturday and Sunday (4-hour time slots)

Music will be provided by True Spin on Friday and Blue Crab Redemption on Saturday.

Louisiana Forest Festival (Winnfield) April 21 & 22

2000 S. Jones Street

In honor of the timber industry in the state, the Louisiana Forest Festival will feature a wide variety of timber-related activities. Professional lumberjack sports competitions and chainsaw activities will be held throughout the 2-day event.

Enjoy music, food, arts & crafts, a crawfish cook-off, a rodeo, and a live auction. Gates open at 9 AM on Friday for a 4-H Achievement Day and Forestry Awareness for Winn Parish Students only. The music starts at 6 PM and ends after a 10 PM performance by Spencer Brunson. On Saturday, gates open at 8 AM and the festival ends after an 8:30 PM performance by Deep Water Rehab.

Rodeo tickets are $5 each.