It’s been quite an exciting beginning to 2010. Between the Saints winning the Super Bowl and an early Mardi Gras season, January and February were action-packed and, quite frankly, exhausting.

But now, a few weeks have passed since the final parade rolled and some local television and radio programs are even starting to talk about something other than the Black and Gold. Most people throughout the region have caught up on their sleep and gotten their schedules back to something approaching normalcy.

Well, here in Southeast Louisiana, normalcy is a dirty word, and a schedule devoid of events is blasphemy. So, as winter finally starts to loosen its grip on the region and temperatures make that fleeting run into the range that can only be described as “pleasant,” it can only mean one thing: festival time!

From March until the end of summer there are usually a handful of festivals within an hour’s drive of the River Parishes, and many of these festivals are well publicized and draw huge crowds to go along with them.

But the wealth of history and scenery right here in the area makes it an ideal place for celebrating.

This weekend, the festival season in the River Region is kicking off with the seventh annual Frisco Fest at the beautifully distinctive San Francisco Plantation in Garyville. Wonderful weather with high temperatures in the mid-60s coupled with a full schedule of entertaining and enlightening events make this one a can’t miss. Besides, knowing the proceeds benefit one of the most unique and historical structures in St. John the Baptist Parish makes shelling out a few bucks for admission and some great food a real win-win situation.

Festival opportunities are many, but the chance to do something truly beneficial for the community is not as easy to come by. So take advantage of this glorious weekend and take the short drive down River Road to the Frisco Fest. Your mind, body and spirit will thank you.