Louisiana Festivals & Events Happening this Weekend: July 4 through July 7

Fourth of July fireworks end out many of this weekend's festivals.Photo byThomas ParkonUnsplash

Avoyelles Arts & Music Festival - Marksville - July 4

711 Paragon Pl

Located at Paragon Casino Resort, the 12th Annual Avoyelles Arts & Music Festival features music, food trucks, craft vendors, a parade, a car and truck show, a bake off, a hot dog eating contest, a watermelon eating contest, a cherry pie eating contest, a boudin eating contest, two dance offs, a kids' zone, and fireworks.

Musical guests include:

• Amanda Shaw
• Rusty Metoyer & Zydecon Krush
• Blue Widow
• Chase Tyler Band
• Lil' Nathan and the Zydeco Big Timers

Admission is $10 for those 6 and over. Free for those younger.

Erath 4th of July Celebration - Erath - July 4

Downtown Erath

A fun run, water fights between area fire departments, carnival rides, a parade, a fais-do-do featuring Geno Delafosse, and a giant fireworks display are planned for the 87th Annual Erath 4th of July Celebration.

Carnival ride bracelets cost $30.

Fireworks on the River - Krotz Springs - July 4

562 Front Street

The location of Fireworks on the River is Nall Park on Front Street in Krotz Springs. The time is 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Bring ice chests, lawn chairs, and picnic blankets to enjoy hot dogs, watemelon, and fireworks.

Live music provided by JC Melancon & The Bayou Rock Band.

Washington Parish Watermelon Festival - Franklinton - July 5, 6, 7

Fairgrounds Road

Franklinton Fairground Arena is the setting for the Washington Parish Watermelon Festival. Contests, live music, a parade, a rodeo, an auction, food, vendors, and lots of watemelon make this a great way to beat the July heat.

Music will be provided by:

• Dean King
• Back Forty
• Cypress Creek

Gospel fellowship happens at 10:00 AM on Sunday.

30th Essence Festival of Culture - New Orleans - July 5, 6, 7

900 Convention Center Boulevard

The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is the setting for the 30th Essence Festival of Culture. Free daily activities include expert panels, workshops, and shopping focused on beauty, entrepreneurship, health, wellness, and more. General admission passes are free, but required to enter the convention center.

Ticketed evening concerts at Caesar's Superdome feature:

• Bryan "Birdman" Williams and a Cash Money ensemble of artists
• R&B renaissance man, Raphael Saadiq
• The Roots
• Mickey Guyton
• Ari Lennox
• T-Pain
• Usher
• "Uncle" Charlie Wilson
• Big Boi
• Lloyd
• Method Man
• Sheila E
• Donnell Jones
• Machel Montano
• Tweet
• Nigerian singer-songwiter, Ayra Starr
• Maze
• Victoria Monet
• Tank & Banga
• Janet Jackson

Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, will be interviewed on Saturday during Essence Festival by Convention Center President and CEO, Caroline Wanga.

Annual Lebeau Zydeco Festival - Lebeau - July 6

103 Lebeau Church Road

Bring tents and lawn chairs, but no BBQ pits, ice chests, coolers, glass containers, or ATVs to the Annual Lebeau Zydeco Festival. Located on the grounds of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, the festival features live Zydeco performances, dancing, and Creole cuisine, including their famous pork backbone dinners.

The musical lineup includes:

• Geno Delafosse & French Rockin' Boogie
• Rusty Metoyer & Zydeco Krush
• Step Rideau & The Zydeco Outlaws
• J Paul Jr. & The Zydeco Nubreeds

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for kids. Gates open at 9:00 AM.

Fourth of July Celebration - Houma - July 6

106 Pier 56 Ct

Coco Marina in Chauvin is the setting for a fun-filled day featuring live music, food, snowballs, a boat parade, and fireworks at the Fourth of July Celebration.

Live bands include:

• Josh Garrett Band
• Joe Stark Band
• The Poboys
• JP Bourgeois

Gates open at 12:00 PM.

If you know of a festival not reported here, please let us know about it in the comments section.