LAPLACE — In the days leading up to the 46^th annual Andouille Festival, it looked like a wave of severe weather might put a damper on the community celebration.

Thankfully, the wind blew the rain clouds away, and beautiful weather welcomed large crowds to enjoy food, live music, crafts, carnival games and family entertainment at the three-day festival.

It was especially sentimental for outgoing Parish President Natalie Robottom, who has spent the past decade meticulously planning and improving the Andouille Festival. She couldn’t have asked for a better event to commemorate her final year.

“It was amazing,” Robottom said. “We had several special weather meetings, and then the wind blew it away. It’s a large relief because months of planning go into this, and we can’t have it any other weekend because the bands have commitments. The crowds Friday night and Saturday, all through the day, were unbelievable.”

While Robottom did not cry, she said the emotions that accompanied the weekend ran the gamut. Above all, she felt pride in her community and in the staff that worked hard to make it a success.

“I really think my staff went all out because it was my last one,” Robottom said. “We just continue to try and make it better. There are people coming up to me to say —and I agree — that this is the cleanest, neatest and most organized that it’s been in a long time, and that’s our goal.”

Crowds gathered around the main stage to listen to live music from Keith Frank and the Souileau Zydeco Band, The Bucktown All-Stars, 24/7 Band, Third Gear, Harold Warren and Innervision, Amanda Shaw and the Cute Guys, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, The Changing Times Band, Blues Madness Band, Dat Band, One Mind Brass Band, Rusty Metoyer and the Zydeco Krush and The Topcats.

The Sunday Gospel tent featured powerful voices from around the River Parishes in addition to a performance from national recording artist Lemmie Battles.

Robottom said the St. John Culture & Heritage stage grew crowds that rivaled that of the main stage. Local DJs, line dancers, school performances and dance numbers kept the energy upbeat.

Shanika Mason attended the Andouille Festival to watch her child perform on the Culture & Heritage Stage with the John L. Ory choir.

Mason has attended the Andouille Festival for as long as she can remember, and it’s an experience she enjoys sharing with her children. While other festivals celebrate commodities around the state, the Andouille Festival is the only one she attends because it’s so close to home.

“I just love being around the family atmosphere,” Mason said, noting the festival has seen increased food and musical offerings through the years. She’s noticed there are less rides overall compared to the past, but more for older kids to enjoy.

Visitor feedback from 2018 prompted organizers to expand attractions for younger children this year, according to Robottom.

“Last year they said there were good rides but not enough for little kids,” Robottom said. “This year, we have a bunch for the little kids.”

Other changes from 2018 included extending hours on ride bands to last all day, moving popular bands to prime time hours and making sure there were no duplicate dishes offered by food vendors.

Specialty dishes offered at the festival included seafood-loaded fries, BBQ chicken, Andouille and shrimp nachos, crawfish and Andouille balls, poboys, jambalaya and much more, in addition to a variety of sweet Louisiana desserts.

Longtime Andouille Festival visitor Carlton Laborde was happy to receive his food for free as a thank you for his service in the Korean War.

Laborde, a former St. John the Baptist Parish police officer of 28 years, enjoys attending the Andouille Festival because it feels like a family reunion. He’s able to see other officers who worked with him under past sheriffs Lloyd Johnson and Wayne Jones and speak to community members he might not see otherwise.

Craft vendor Pamela Hilliard started attending the Andouille Festival about four years ago to sell her custom made wreaths, which include crawfish and LSU Tigers designs. Hilliard, a New Orleans resident, has attended festivals and craft fairs around the region, and she agrees there’s something special about the Andouille Fest.

“I like the atmosphere and watching people strolling, shopping and enjoying the music and the food,” Hilliard said. “The community makes it unique because it seems like they really support the festival.”

While the Andouille Festival is also marketed outside of St. John Parish, Robottom said it is a true community event. She added that brief discussions of canceling the festival after last year’s lower turnout seemed to increase community support this time around.

“I hate the phrase, ‘We’ve always done it like that,’” Robottom said. “What we do is listen to what people say and try to make the changes that will make it more pleasant for everyone. It’s a community festival, and I’m very proud of how it turned out.”