To compile and annotate the celebrations of south Louisiana in this inaugural "Fairs and Festivals Guide," Gambit Weekly turned to Julie Posner, the reigning queen of Louisiana festivals. Although she sits a little crooked on the thone this year, Posner is best known for her annual Huli's Calendar of Louisiana Festivals and Events. Although it wasn't really feasible for her to pull together the 2006 printed calendar, she did compile this festival listing with Gambit Weekly. For this publication, we've chosen to list festivals from March through Labor Day and focusing on south Louisiana rather than the entire state. Unfortunately due to time and other logistical, post-Katrina constraints, we were unable to reach some festivals.

The 2007 calendar will be back in its full glory by October 2006 in local stories or can be purchased directly from Posner. Julie can be reached at Huli Publishing, P.O. Box 850561, New Orleans, LA 70185 and at her newly restored home phone of (504) 488-5993. For even more event info, listen to Posner's weekly report on WWOZ (90.7 FM) each Friday just past noon. Julie would like to give a heartfelt thanks to all those who have purchased her calendar over the years and those who have sent such beautiful emails and phone messages full of support in this most peculiar of times.

MARCH

4 -- Here's the Beef Cookoff. Opelousas (877) 948-8004

4 -- Shadows-on-the-Teche Arts and Crafts Festival. New Iberia, (337) 365-7539; www.IberiaTravel.com

4 -- The Great Gator Race. New Iberia (337) 367-3277; www.southernmutualhelp.org

4-5 -- Civil War Living History Encampment. Acadian Village, Lafayette (337) 981-2364; www.AcadianVillage.org

10-12 -- Choctaw Firemen's Fair. Choctaw (877) 537-5800

11 -- Oilfield Chili Cookoff. Belle Chase; www.OilfieldChili.com

11-12 -- Frisco Festival. San Francisco Plantation, Garyville (985) 535-2341; www.SanFranciscoPlantation.org

15 -- Folklife Festival. Nicholls State University, Thibodaux (985) 448-4273; www.nicholls.edu/jubilee (followed by the monthlong Eighth Annual Jubilee: A Festival of the Arts and Humanities)

17-19 -- Audubon Pilgrimage. St. Francisville (225) 635-6330; www.AudubonPilgrimage.info

17-19 -- Chanel Spring Festival. Paulina (225) 869-5778

17-19 -- Catfish Festival. Washington. (337) 826-3627; www.Washington-la.org

17-19 -- Rabbit Festival. Iowa (337) 582-3535; www.IowaLa.org

17-19 -- Calling of the Tribes Pow-Wow. Bourg (985) 879-2373

17-19 -- Oyster Festival. Amite ((985) 748-7156

ST. PATRICK'S DAY -- FRIDAY, MARCH 17

5 -- Downtown Irish Club's St. Patrick's Street Party/Practice Parade. Markey's Bar, New Orleans (504) 943-0785

11 -- Irish Channel Parade. New Orleans (504) 368-1020; www.IrishChannelno.org

12 -- Irish-Italian Parade. St. Bernard Parish (504) 278-4242; www.sbpg.net

12 -- St. Patrick's Parade. Old Metairie, (504) 833-2126

17 -- Parasol's St. Paddy's Block Party. New Orleans (504) 897-5413; www.Parasols.com

17 -- Bourre's St. Paddy's Block Party. Gretna (504) 363-0028

17 -- St. Patrick's Parade. French Quarter, New Orleans (504) 525-5169; www.MollysAtTheMarket.net

17 -- Downtown Irish Club's St. Patrick's Day Parade. Ninth Ward, New Orleans (504) 943-0785

19 -- Irish-Italian Parade. Veterans Memorial Boulevard, Metairie (504) 472-5278

ST. JOSEPH'S DAY ALTARS -- SATURDAY-SUNDAY, MARCH 18-19

(For a full listing of altars call the Italian Cultural Society at 504-522-7294)

Itailian American Museum. Piazza d'Italia, New Orleans (504) 522-7294

St. Joseph Catholic Church. 610 6th St., Gretna (504) 368-1313

Our Lady of Holy Rosary Academy. 3368 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans (504) 482-7173

March 18 -- St. Joseph's Day Parade. French Quarter, New Orleans (504) 522-7294

SUPER SUNDAY -- SUNDAY, MARCH 19, NEW ORLEANS CITYWIDE

Bayou St. John & Orleans Avenue. New Orleans, afternoon

Washington Avenue & LaSalle Street. New Orleans, 1 p.m. (504) 897-9501

MARCH, CONTINUED

18 -- Strawberry Jam 'n' Toast. Ponchatoula (800) 542-7520; www.strawberryjam.org

18 -- Bayou Lafourche Heritage Day. Thibodaux (985) 447-0915

18 -- Arts and Crafts Day. Tickfaw State Park. Springfield (225) 294-2218; www.LaStatePark.com

18-19 -- Earth Fest. Audubon Zoo, New Orleans (504) 581-4629; www.AudubonInstitute.org

19 -- Chef SoirŽe. Covington (985) 893-2570; www.ChefSoiree.com

24-25 -- Bach and Elvis Around the Clock. Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Ave., New Orleans (504) 670-2520; www.TrinityC.net

24-26 -- Atchafalaya Festival. Simmsport (318) 941-2493

25 -- All Town Garage Sale. Abita Springs (985) 892-0711; www.TownOfAbitaSprings.com

25-26 -- Los Islenos Fiesta. Chalmette (504) 278-4242; www.sbpg.net

26 -- World Championship Crawfish Etouffee Cook-off Contest. Eunice (337) 457-7389; www.Eunice-la.com

23-26 -- Femme Fest. New Orleans (504) 710-5783; ArtFocusNow@hotmail.com

25-26 -- Oak Alley Plantation Spring Arts & Crafts Festival. Vacherie (800) 44ALLEY; www.OakAlleyPlantation.com

March 25-26 -- Battle Port Hudson Reenactment. Zachary (888) 677-3400; www.LaStateParks.com

APRIL

March 30-April 3 -- Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival. French Quarter, New Orleans (504) 581-1144; www.TennesseeWilliams.net

March 31-April 1 -- Living History Heritage Festival. Merryville (337) 825-8118

March 31-April 1 -- Smokin' Blues & BBQ Challenge. Hammond (985) 549-0712; www.HammondBluesAndBBQ.com

March 31-April 2 -- Cypress Sawmill Festival. Patterson (800) 256-2931; www.CypressSawmill.com

March 31-April 2 -- Crawfish Boat Festival. Lawtell (337) 826-5049

March 31-April 2 -- Swamp Pop Music Festival. Bourg (985) 594-7410

March 31-April 2 Creole Festival. Jeanearette (337) 276-3615

March 31-April 2 -- Kite Festival. Port Allen (800) 654-9701

March 31-April 2 -- Audubon Country Birdfest. St. Francisville (225) 635-6769; www.AudubonCountry BirdFest.com

1 -- Cracklin' Cookoff. Cutoff (985) 632-7616

1-2 -- Pyromania. Lafayette (337) 269-0363; www.PyroCajun.com

1-2 -- Spring Garden Show. City Park. New Orleans (504) 483-9386; www.neworleanscitypark.com/garden

6-8 -- LA Railroad Days Festival. DeQuincy (337) 786-8241; www.CityOfDequincy.com

6-9 -- Great Louisiana Bird Fest. Mandeville (985) 626-1238; www.NorthLakeNature.org

8-9 -- Celebration of Louisiana Iris. Lafitte (504) 689-4757

7-9 -- Boggy Bayou Festival. Pine Prairie (337) 599-2031; www.EvangelineTourism.com

7-9 -- Cajun Hot Sauce Festival. New Iberia (337) 365-7539; www.sugarena.com

7-9 -- Strawberry Festival. Ponchatoula (985) 542-7520; www.LaStrawberryFestival.com

7-9 -- New Orleans Spring Fiesta. New Orleans (504) 581-1367; www.SpringFiesta.com

8 -- Southdown Marketplace. Houma (985) 851-0154; www.SouthDownMuseum.org

8 -- Rice and Gravy Cookoff. Acadian Village, Lafayette (337) 981-2364; www.AcadianVillage.org

8 -- Art at the Park. Covington (985) 892-9156; www.ArtAtThePark.org

8 -- Asian Pacific American Society Heritage Festival. Audubon Zoo. New Orleans (504) 581-4629; www.AudubonInstitute.org

13-15 -- Great Southern RV Bluegrass. Angie (985) 986-8411

14-16 Laotian New Year Festival. New Iberia (888) -942-3742; www.IberiaTravel.com

15 -- Crescent City Classic. New Orleans (504) 861-8686; www.ccc10k.com

21-23 -- LIHA Spring Powwow. Robert (985) 345-9244; www.HiddenOaksFamilyCampground.com

21-23 -- Migratory Bird Celebration. Grand Isle (985) 787-2997; http://GrandIsle.btnep.org

21-27 -- Dewey Balfa Cajun & Creole Week. Ville Platte (337) 234-8360; www.LaFolkRoots.org

21-23 -- French Quarter Festival. New Orleans (504) 522-5730; www.FQFI.org

21-22 -- Bayou Teche Bear Fest. Franklin (985) 395-4905; www.BayouTecheBearFest.org

22 -- Wine Festival. Jackson (225) 634-7982; www.FelicianaCellars.com

22 -- Cajun Joke Telling Contest. Opelousas 877-948-8004

22 -- Blessing of the Fleet. Golden Meadow (985) 475-5428

22-23 -- Antique District Street Fair. Slidell (985) 641-6316

22-23 -- Angola Spring Rodeo. Angola (225) 655-2028; www.AngolaRodeo.com

23 -- Blessing of the Fleet. Chauvin (985) 594-5859

23 -- Earth Day Celebration. Baton Rouge (800) 527-6843; www.EarthDayBR.org

23 -- Allons Manger Food Festival. Belle Rose (225) 473-8569

23 -- Crawfish Etouffee Cookoff. Ville Platte (337) 363-8687; www.EvangelineTourism.com

26-30 -- Festival International. Lafayette (337) 232-8086; www.FestivalInternational.com

28-30 -- Battle of Jackson Crossroads. Jackson (225) 634-7155

28 -- Zoo-To-Do for Kids Audubon Zoo. New Orleans (504) 581-4629; www.AudubonInstitute.org

28-30 -- Etouffee Festival. Arnaudville (337) 754-5912

28-30 -- Family Fun Festival. Larose (985) 693-7355; www.MobileTel.com/BayouCivicClub

28-30 -- Festival de la Prairie. Prairieville (225) 673-8307

28-30 -- Italian Festival. Independence (800) 542-7520

28-30 -- New Orleans Jazz & Heritage FestIval. New Orleans Fair Grounds. New Orleans (504) 522-4786 www.NOJazzFest.com

28-30 -- Saint Joan of Arc Spring Festival. LaPlace (985) 652-9100

28-30 -- Family Fun and Food Festival. Westlake (337) 439-6585

29 -- Cajun Day Celebration, CFMA. Port Allen (229) 622-5708

29 -- Blessing on the Bayou. Westwego (504) 340-0718

29 -- A Garden Affair. Washington (337) 826-5049

29 -- Springfest Denham Springs (225) 665-4666 www.AntiqueVillage.us

29 -- South LA Championship B-B-Que Cook-off. New Iberia (337) 519-5288; www.IberiaTravel.com

29-30 -- Cajun Woodstock for St. Jude's. Church Point (337) 280-8710

30 -- Blessing of the Fleet. Lafitte (504) 689-2208

30 -- Laurel Valley Spring Event. Thibodaux (985) 446-1187

30 -- Blessing of the Fleet. Dulac (985) 563-2325

MAY

1-4 & 8 -- Louisiana Music Factory Concerts. 210 Decatur St., New Orleans (504) 586-1094; www.LouisianaMusicFactory.com

2-14 -- Contraband Days Pirate Festival Lake Charles (337) 436-5508; www.ContrabandDays.com

4-7 -- Cajun Fun Fest. New Iberia (337) 364-1253

4-7 -- Thibodaux's Firemen's Fair. Thibodaux (985) 446-1187

5 -- Zoo-To-Do. Audubon Zoo, New Orleans (504) 581-4629; www.AudubonInstitute.org

5-7 -- New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival -- New Orleans -(504) 522-4786; www.NOJazzFest.com

5-7 -- Mayfest. Leesville (337) 238-0783

5-7 -- Crawfish Festival. Breaux Bridge (337) 332-6655; www.BBCrawfest.com

5-7 -- Sacred Heart Spring Festival. Oakdale (318) 335-3780

6 -- Celebration of Herbs and Gardens. Sunset (337) 662-3542

6 -- Treasure Fest. DeRidder (337) 463-5533

5-7 -- Little Red Church Food Fun Festival. Destrehan (985) 764-6383

5-7 May Festival. Abbeville (337) 898-0859

6-7 -- Tomato Festival. Chalmette (504) 278-4242; www.sbpg.net

6-7 -- FestForAll. Baton Rouge (225) 344-8558; www.ArtsBR.org

10-13 -- Pecan Ridge Bluegrass Festival. Jackson (225) 629-5852

11-14 -- Cochon de Lait Festival. Mansura (318) 964-2887; www.CochonDeLait.com

13 -- CFMA Music Festival. Eunice (337) 457-4373; www.CajunFrenchMusic.com

14 -- Mother's Day. Audubon Zoo, New Orleans (504) 581-4629 www.AudubonInstitute.org

18-20 -- Mayhaw Festival. Starks (337) 743-6297

19-21 -- Wagon Festival and Trail Ride. Cankton (337) 948-8004

20 -- Crawfish Boil-Off. Cutoff (985) 632-7616

24-28 -- New Orleans Wine & Food Experience. New Orleans (504) 529-WINE; www.nowfe.com

25-June 4 -- Cajun Heartland State Fair. Lafayette (337) 265-2100; www.CajunDome.com

26-28 -- Bunk Johnson Festival. New Iberia (888) 9-IBERIA; www.BunkJohnson.org

26-28 -- Greek Festival. New Orleans (504) 282-0259 www.GreekFestnola.com

26-28 -- Jambalaya Festival. Gonzales (225) 647-2937 www.JambalayaFestival.org

27 -- Swamp Pop Music Festival. Robert (985) 345-9244; www.HiddenOaksFamilyCampground.com

27-28 -- Spring Into Summer Festival. Destrehan Plantation, Destrehan (985) 764-9315; www.DestrehanPlantation.org

27-28 -- Plaquemines Parish Heritage and Seafood Festival. Belle Chase (504) 394-0088; www.phsfest.com

28 -- Zydeco Extravaganza. Opelousas (800) 346-1958; www.ZydecoEntertainers.com

JUNE

1-4 -- Buggy Festival. Church Point (337) 684-2739; www.ChurchPointBuggyFestival.com

2-4 -- Spice and Music Festival. Opelousas (337) 948-5227

2-4 -- Bon Mange Festival. Gheens (985) 532-6755

3 -- Freret Street Festival. New Orleans (504) 899-5900; www.FreretStreet.com

3 -- Swamp Pop Festival. Chackbay (985) 633-7789; www.LaGumboFest.com

3 -- Lafitte Pirogue Races. Lafitte (504) 689-2208

3-4 -- Back to the Beach Festival. New Orleans (504) 836-2205; www.SaveOurLake.org

4 -- Bayou Liberty Pirogue Races. Slidell (985) 643-2581

9-11 -- LA Corn Festival. Bunkie (318) 346-2575; www.Bunkie.com

10 -- Cajun Culture Music Festival. Eunice (337) 457-5601

10 -- French Market Tomato Festival. New Orleans (504) 522-2621; www.FrenchMarket.org

16-18 -- The Day the War Stopped. St. Francisville (225) 635-3873; www.DayTheWarStopped.com

17 -- Bicycle Festival. Abita Springs (985) 892-2624; www.SeeLouisiana.com

17-18 -- Soul Festival. Audubon Zoo. New Orleans (504) 581-4629; www.AudubonInstitute.org

24 -- One River Mississippi Performance Project. Venice (504) 394-0088

23-24 -- Smoked Meat Festival. Ville Platte (337) 363-6700; www.SmokedMeatFestival.com

24-25 -- Crab Cook-Off Festival. LaCombe (800) 647-1824; www.LacombeCrabCookoffFestival.com

JULY

June 28-July 1 -- Pecan Ridge Bluegrass Festival. Jackson (225) 629-5852

June 30- July 1 -- Watermelon Festival. DeRidder (337) 463-5534

June 30-July 4 -- Erath 4th of July Festival. Erath (337) 937-5585; www.Erath4.com

June 30-July 2 -- Seafood Festival. Mandeville (985) 689-2208; www.SeafoodFest.com

July 1 -- Lebeau Zydeco Festival. Lebeau (337) 623-4333

4 -- Watermelon Celebration Day. Bogalousa (985) 839-7855

7-9 -- Catfish Festival. Des Allemands (985) 758-7542

13-15 -- Riverbend Bluegrass Festival Enon (985) 839-9728

14-15 -- Swamp Pop Music Festival. Gonzales (225) 769-9994; www.SwampPopMusicFest.com

15-16 -- Cajun Music and Food Festival. Lake Charles (800) 456-7952; www.CajunFrenchMusic.org

15-16 -- Seafood Festival. Lafitte (504) 689-2208

27-29 -- Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo. Grand Isle (985) 787-2997; www.Grand-Isle.com

28-29 -- Feliciana Hummingbird Celebration. St. Francisville (225) 635-6330

28-29 -- Marshland Festival. Lake Charles (337) 762-3876; www.MarshlandFestival.com

AUGUST

3-6 -- Satchmo SummerFest. New Orleans (504) 522-5730; www.SatchmoSummerFest.com

5 -- White Linen Night. New Orleans (504) 210-0224; www.Cacno.org

12 -- Dirty Linen Night. New Orleans (504) 552-4511

12 -- Red Dress Run. New Orleans (504) 889-HASH; www.NewOrleansHash.com

16-20 -- Shrimp Festival and Blessing of the Fleet. Delcambre (337) 685-2653; www.ShrimpFestival.net

18-20 -- "Le Cajun" Cajun French Music Association Festival & Awards. Lafayette (800) 346-1958; www.CajunFrenchMusic.org

26 -- Krewe of Oak's Mid-Summber Mardi Gras Parade. New Orleans (504) 866-9359

24-27 -- Duck Festival. Gueydon (337) 536-6456; www.DuckFestival.org

SEPTEMBER

1-2 -- Cajun Music Festival. Mamou (337) 468-3272

Aug 31-4 -- Shrimp & Petroleum Festival. Morgan City (985) 385-0703; www.Shrimp-PetroFest.org

1-4 -- Southern Decadence Celebration. French Quarter, New Orleans (504) 522-8047; www.Southern-Decadence.com

1-2 -- Original Southwest LA Zydeco Festival Plaisance (337) 942-2392; www.Zydeco.org

3 -- Creole Zydeco Festival. St. Martinville (337) 394-4635

4 -- BooZoo's Dog Hill Day. Iowa (800) 456-7952

NOT HAPPENING IN 2006

March 18-19 -- St. Joseph's Day Altars. 1910 Monroe St, Gretna -- (504) 362-0070

March 5-6 -- Black Heritage Festival. Lake Charles (337) 497-0026

March 8-19 -- Buffalo Festival. Baker (225) 778-0300 (might be moved to August)

March 30-April 3 -- Louisiana Crawfish Festival. Chalmette (504) 271-0537; www.St-Bernard.la.us/

April 16-17 -- Niblett's Bluff Spring Festival. Niblett's Bluff (337) 589-7117

April 1-3 -- Antique Festival & Tour. Jackson (225) 634-7155; www.FelicianaTourism.org

April 25-27 -- MO Fest. New Orleans; www.RealNewOrleansMusic.com

April 23-24 -- Civil War Days. Buras (985) 657-7083

May 13-15 -- Book Fest (Latter Library). New Orleans (504) 596-2625

May 15 -- Japan Fest. New Orleans (504) 529-2101

July 1-3 -- Essence Music Festival (moved to Houston)

Aug. 13-14 -- LA Wildfowl Festival. New Orleans (504) 834-8878

Aug. 18-21 -- Apostolic Bluegrass Festival. Independence (985) 878-3772

Aug. 12-14 -- Blessing of the Fleet. Grand Isle (985) 787-2997; www.Grand-Isle.com

Sept. 2-3 -- Pork and Chitlin's Festival. Bayou Chicot (337) 826-3789

14-16 -- SW LA Migration Sensation Bird Lake Arthur (800) 264-5521