Louisiana Festivals & Events Happening this Weekend: July 18 through July 21

Sample local craft beer at Acadiana Brew HaHa.Photo byengin akyurtonUnsplash

(Updated)

This weekend's festivals offer respite from the heat by being mostly held indoors. Enjoy music, food, folklife, and lots of beer.

Island Strong Music Fest - Grand Isle - July 18, 19, 20

4500 Tarpon Rodeo Drive

The Tarpon Rodeo Pavillion on Grand Isle is the setting for the 3rd Annual Island Strong Music Fest. There will be lots of food, music, drinks, and arts & crafts at this island recovery fundraiser.

Musical guests include:

• Whiskey Bent
• Junior Lacrosse
• Dustin Lee Guedry
• Ryan Foret & Foret Tradition
• Aaron Foret Band
• JP Bourgeois Band
• Shorts in December
• Clay Cormier & The Highway Boys

Ticket prices are:

• $10 Thursday 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM
• $15 Friday 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
• $15 Saturday 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
• $30 for a weekend bracelet
• Children 12 and under are admitted free

This is a cash only event, with an ATM onsite. No outside food or drinks allowed.

Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival - July 20

220 South Jefferson Street

"The Old Songs Live Forever" is the theme of the 44th Annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival. Held inside the air-conditioned Prather Coliseum on the campus of Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, the festival features three music stages, Zydeco and Cajun dance lessons, the Louisiana State Fiddle Championship, folk food vendors, exhibits, traditional blacksmithing, and a jambalaya cook-off.

Folk music headliners include:

• Dikki Du & The Zydeco Krewe
• Sonny Gullage & The Blues Groovers
• Forest Huval
• The Victory Belles
• The Zion Harmonizers
• Johnny Earthquake & The Moon Dogs
• The Willie Stewart Family & Friends Bluegrass Band
• The Rick Adams Band
• Brandon Degeyter & The Mire Playboys
• Fire of Tierra Caliente
• Armadillo Jackal Band
• And more

There will be traditional Louisiana French narratives, an Alabama and Coushatta traditional culture program, Day of the Dead celebrations, square dancing, a silent auction, and a kid's zone. Admission is $6 per person during the day and $10 after 5:00 PM. Those 12 and younger are admitted free all day.

Acadiana Brew HaHa - Lafayette - July 20

300 Fisher Road

Vermillionville's 4th Annual Acadiana Brew HaHa happens on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Focusing on the history and culture of beer and brewing in Louisiana, the festival features the region's craft, micro, nano, and home brewers to give you a taste of what's brewing right here at home.

Ticket-holders will receive this year's official souvenir mug to handle tastings all day. Workshops, great food, and music fill in the gaps between tastings.

Tickets are $20. Designated driver tickets (no tasting) are $10.

Cajun Music & Food Festival - Lake Charles - July 20

7001 Gulf Highway

In its 37th year, the Cajun Music & Food Festival will be held at the Burton Coliseum in South Lake Charles. Authentic Cajun food, music, vendors, a kidz zone, and accordion contests for children and adults are the highlights of the festival.

The music schedule includes:

• 12:00 PM - Jackie Caillier, Ivy Dugas, and Cajun Cousins
• 2:00 PM - Chris Miller and Bayou Roots
• 4:00 PM - John Dale Hebert and Friends
• 6:00 PM - Ray Thibodeaux and Cajun Friends/Jason Fry on accordion
• 8:00 PM - Kevin Naquin and Cajun Preservation

Gates are open from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Admission is $10 per person, with children under 12 admitted free.