Festivals & Events Happening this Weekend: May 30 through June 2

Hot Air BalloonsPhoto byKyle HinksononUnsplash

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Enjoy peaches, hot air balloons, bugs, reptiles, Southern literature, music, food, and the Mississippi River in the Sportsman's Paradise this weekend.

For your weekend fun, these are the festivals happening around Louisiana.

Sportsmen's Heritage Festival - Krotz Springs - May 30, 31, June 1

562 Front Street

The community of Krotz Springs celebrates its unique heritage centered around hunting, fishing, sporting opportunities, cooking, and music at the annual KS Sportsmen's Heritage Festival. There will be carnival rides, live entertainment, a wild game cookoff, and lots of good food.

Musical acts include:

• Nik-L-Beer
• GTO Party Band
• Swampland Revival
• Clay Cormier & The Highway Boys

No ice chests or outside drinks allowed.

Walker Percy Weekend - St. Francisville - May 31 & June 1

11917 Ferdinand Street

A celebration of the work of Walker Percy and Southern literature, the Walker Percy Weekend features readings, panel discussions, social and culinary events, and a bourbon and food stroll through the historic Royal Street Neighborhood in St. Francisville.

This is a ticketed event.

Washington Parish Balloon Festival - Franklinton - May 31, June 1 & 2

Fairgrounds Road

The Washington Parish Balloon Festival features tethered balloon rides, balloon races, musical acts, and balloon glows after dark. General admission tickets are $6 for those aged 10 and over, and free for those younger. Everyone must have a ticket to enter the festival grounds.

Louisiana Peach Festival - Ruston - June 1

101 W. Park Avenue

The 74th Annual Louisiana Peach Festival features homegrown flavors, 12+ hours of music, food vendors, an arts market, kids' activities, and more in beautiful Downtown Ruston.

Peach related activities include a peach hunt, culinary crawl, baby photo contest, art exhibit, sidewalk sale, pickleball tournament, parade, beard contest, car show, and more. Admission is free.

Harahan Music Festival & Food Drive - June 1

6601 10th Street

Music, face painting, an arts market, and a food market benefit the St. Rita Food Pantry at the Harahan Music Festival & Food Drive on Saturday, June 1.

Musical guests include:

• The Sharpened Spurs
• Lynn Drury Band
• The Shawn Rice Band
• T. Marie & Bayou JuJu
• Amanda Shaw & The Cute Guys
• Dave Hickey

Admission to the festival on the Harahan Playground is free with 5 to 10 non-perishable food items. The after party featuring Amanda Shaw and Dave Hickey will be held at The Kamp, 2317 Hickory Avenue; admission is $10.

Kent House Bug & Reptile Day - Alexandria - June 1

3601 Bayou Rapides Road

Children of all ages are invited to the Kent Plantation House for the 15th annual Bug & Reptile Day. There will be bug and reptile encounters and many fun activities for kids like alligator petting, crafts, games, and watching a scorpion glow in the dark.

The event lasts from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Admission is $2 for ages 3 and up.

NOLA River Fest - New Orleans - June 1

400 Esplanade Avenue

The 11th Annual NOLA River Fest celebrates the impact the Mississippi River has had on the city of New Orleans. Held at the New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint, the festival features live music, panals, presentations, local food vendors, drinks, and more.

This year's musical lineup features:

• Treme Lafitte Brass Band
• Egg Yolk Jubilee
• Grayhawk Perkins & Friends
• George Brown Band
• Jason Neville Funky Soul Band
• Britney Chauntae
• Bobby Rush

This year's theme is Mississippi Delta Blues.