LULING — Taking advantage of an ideal location adjacent to the Mississippi River levee-top bicycle path, the organizers of the 36th annual Alligator Festival Sept. 24-27 encourage festival-goers to “Bike to the Fest” this year.

Held annually in Luling’s West Bank Bridge Park, the Alligator Festival lies directly beneath the Hale Boggs Bridge approaches and just across River Road from the 7.1-mile long public path atop the levee.

“The Alligator Festival is an ideal destination for bicyclists,” said Rotary Club president Fenwick Swann. “We want to encourage people to enjoy the riverside scenery, avoid traffic and parking hassles, and even burn a few calories along the way. I plan to cycle to the festival myself.”

As an added incentive, anyone biking to the Alligator Festival will receive a commemorative “I Biked to the Fest” sticker at the entrance gates upon request.

Swann suggests residents interested in cycling to the festival consider parking in nearby parks adjacent to the path.

Bicycle parking will be available at the levee crossover adjacent to the Hale Boggs Bridge, and cyclists should bring their own locks. The Rotary Club of St. Charles encourages all cyclists to wear a helmet while riding.

The Alligator Festival has served as the St. Charles Parish Rotary Club’s principal fundraiser since 1980, with proceeds supporting more than $35,000 in college and vocational scholarships awarded to St. Charles Parish high school seniors each year.

The festival offers a special Thursday Night/Sept. 24 preview from 6 to 9 p.m., with rides food and drink options.

All weekend, the regular admission is $1 at the gate, and strollers are admitted free of charge. No outside food or drinks are allowed on festival grounds.

More information is available at

alligatorfestival.org.