By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — For the first time ever, $1 will afford participants lots of Friday night fun at this weekend’s Andouille Festival.

Parish Communi-cation Director Paige Falgoust said adults who bring a canned, non-perishable food item from 6 p.m. to midnight Friday will get in the festival for $1, which normally carries a $3 fee. The special admission price is being offered in conjunction with Second Harvesters Food Bank.

Falgoust said cotton candy, popcorn and individual rides will also be available Friday for only $1. 

Music, food, contests, pageants, rides and arts and crafts booths are all part of the festival fun slated for the River Region Friday, Saturday and Sunday as St. John the Baptist Parish presents the 41st Annual Andouille Festival, held at the St. John Parish Community Center and Highway 51 Park, 2900 Highway 51 in LaPlace.

Falgoust said this year’s festival will offer patrons the opportunity to taste the delicacies of 21 food vendors, and a second line parade will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday before New Birth Brass Band takes the stage.

In other changes this year, Falgoust said Jazz Brunch tickets have been reduced to $25 from $35 and the 1 p.m. Saturday Gumbo Cook-Off will be held on the festival grounds this year in comparison to past years when it was held at an outside location. 

Over 15 musical acts are slated to perform during the festival, which will be open from 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

An andouille-eating contest, Andouille Run, Sunday Jazz Brunch, pageants and Apron Art Contest are all events scheduled to add to the festivities.

The 2014 Andouille Festival Poster, created by artist Jamar Pierre, will be available for purchase at the festival. Unsigned $25 prints and $100 signed prints are available, as well as a special combination price of $40 for the unsigned 2013 and 2014 posters.

Pierre will be present from 4-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Smokehouse General Store on the festival grounds for signings.

The Highway 51 Park is currently closed to all foot and vehicular traffic, and will remain so until Oct. 22 for logistics. Falgoust said the closure will allow for festival preparation and proper breakdown/cleanup.

Patrons are encouraged to buy advanced sale amusement ride bracelets, available through Thursday at Matherne’s Super-market in LaPlace, Greg’s Supermarket in Reserve, Don’s Supermarket in Reserve, the receptionist’s desk at the Percy Hebert Building in LaPlace and the Westbank Courthouse in Edgard.

Bracelets can be used all weekend, with patrons paying one price of $50, while a four-hour session pay-one-price ride bracelets are $20 in advance and $25 at the festival.

The four-hour sessions are Friday from 6 to 10 p.m., Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m.

Individual tickets will be available at the festival.

For more information about the festival or any related events, visit andouillefestival.com.