To compile a comprehensive directory of fairs and festivals in a state where they are as plentiful and unique as they are in Louisiana requires the help of someone devoted to experiencing them all. For our 2006 Fairs and Festivals Guide, Gambit Weekly turned to Julie Posner, the reigning queen of Louisiana festivals. She has gained her expertise largely through trying to attend them all in order to compile her annual Huli's Calendar, which has been published for a decade, the most complete listing of such celebrations in the state. The 2007 calendar should be available in local stores next month or you can purchase one directly from Posner at Huli Publishing, P.O. Box 850561, New Orleans, LA 70185 (483-5993).

Now that you are armed with a list of the festivals and fairs scheduled between now and Mardi Gras, sit down with a cup of coffee or a bottle of Louisiana beer, take out your highlighter and choose your favorites. You may find you don't need to leave the state for months to take a short vacation.

September

6-9 -- Pecan Ridge Bluegrass Festival. Jackson, (225) 629-5852

8-9 -- Cajun Food Festival. Lydia, (337) 365-5577

8-9 -- Scott Founders Day Festival. Scott, (337) 233-1130; www.scottlouisiana.org

8-9 -- Italian Heritage Day. Kenner, 388-8758

8-10 -- Frog Festival. Rayne, (337) 334-2332; www.rayne.org

8-10 -- Bayou Lafourche Antique Show and Sale. Thibodaux, (985) 446-3858

9 -- Jazz'n the Vines Outdoor Concert Series. Pontchartrain Vineyards, Covington, (985) 892-9744; www.pontchartrainvineyards.com

16 -- Alligator Day. Hammond, (985) 345-3617; www.klieberttours.com

16 -- CFMA Cajun Music Festival. New Iberia, (888) 942-3742

16 -- Bywater Art Market. New Orleans, 944-7900; www.bywaterartmarket.com

16-17 -- Oil and Gas Festival. Evangeline, (337) 824-4995; www.oilandgasfestival.com

17 -- NO/AIDS Walk. New Orleans, 821-2601; www.noaidstaskforce.org

20-24 -- Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival. New Iberia, (888) 9-IBERIA; www.hisugar.org

21-23 -- Great Southern R.V. Park Bluegrass Fest. Angie, (985) 986-8411

21-24 -- Alligator Festival. Luling, (985) 785-9035; www.stcharlesrotary.com

22-24 -- Bon-Ton Family Festival. Carlyss, (337) 583-4800

23 -- Jazz'n the Vines Outdoor Concert Series. Pontchartrain Vineyards, Covington, (985) 892-9744; www.pontchartrainvineyards.com

23 -- National Hunting and Fishing Day. Baton Rouge, (225) 765-2925

23-24 -- Cajun Heritage Festival. LaRose, (985) 532-8008

23-24 -- Interfest. New Orleans, 581-2860; www.inter-fest.org

23-24 -- Les Bon Vieux Temps Sur La Chenal. Lakeland, (225) 627-5124

24 -- St. James Historical Society Heritage Day. Lutcher, (800) 367-7852

29-30 -- Oktoberfest-Deutsches Haus. New Orleans, 522-8014; www.deutscheshaus.org

29-30 -- Sunshine Festival. Donaldsonville, (225) 473-4814

30 -- La Fete d'Ecologie. Thibodaux, (800) 259-0869; http://lafete.btnep.org

30 -- Mid City Art Market. New Orleans, 486-MCNO; www.midcityartmarket.org October 1 -- Sunshine Festival. Donaldsonville, (225) 473-4814

1, 8, 15, 22, 29 -- Angola Prison Rodeo. Angola, (225) 655-2030; www.angolarodeo.com

1 -- International Heritage Celebration. Baton Rouge, (225) 930-0901

1 -- Oktoberfest Parade. New Orleans, 522-8014

1 -- Sugarfest. Port Allen, (225) 336-2422

2-7 -- Tangipahoa Parish Fair. Amite, (800) 542-7520; www.tangitourism.com

3-7 -- Jefferson Davis Parish Fair. Jennings, (337) 824-1773

5-8 -- West Baton Rouge Parish Fair. Port Allen, (225) 336-2416

5-8 -- Louisiana Cattle Festival. Abbeville, (318) 893-6328; www.louisianacattlefestival.org

5-8 -- St. Tammany Parish Fair. Covington, (800) 634-9443

6-7 -- Oktoberfest-Deutsches Haus. New Orleans, 522-8014; www.deutscheshaus.org

6-8 -- Gretna Heritage Festival. Gretna, 361-7748; www.gretnafest.com

6-8 -- Oktoberfest. Pontchatoula, (985) 542-7520

7 -- Art for Arts Sake. New Orleans, 210-0224; www.cacno.org

7 -- Hungarian Celebration. Springfield, (225) 567-7899

7 -- Antique Fall Festival. Denham Springs, (225) 665-4666; www.livingstonparish.com

7-8 -- Germanfest. Robert's Cove, (337) 334-8354; www.robertscovegermanfest.com

7-8 -- Secret Patio Tours. New Orleans, 722-3595; www.patioplanters.org

7-8 -- Rural Life Harvest Days. Baton Rouge, (225) 765-2437; http://rurallife.lsu.edu

7-8 -- St. Joan of Arc Fall Craft Fair. LaPlace, (985) 651-0810

7-8 -- St. Philomena Catholic Church Festival. Labadieville, (985) 387-0321

10-15 -- Livingston Parish Fair. Livingston, (225) 686-1333

10-15 -- Cotton Festival. Ville Platte, (337) 363-6367

12-14 -- Celtic Nations Heritage Festival. Lake Charles, (800) 456-7952

12-19 -- New Orleans Film & Video Festival. New Orleans; www.neworleansfilmfest.com

13-14 -- Oktoberfest-Deutsches Haus. New Orleans, 522-8014; www.deutscheshaus.org

13-15 -- Gumbo Festival. Bridge City, 436-4712; www.hgaparish.org

13-15 -- Festivals Acadiens. Lafayette, (800) 346-1958; www.lafayettetravel.com

13-15 -- Food and Fun Festival. Slidell, (985) 643-6124

13-15 -- Voice of the Wetlands Festival. Houma, (800) 688-2732; www.voiceofthewetlands.com

13-15 -- Boucherie. Sorrento, (225) 675-6550

14 -- Jazz'n the Vines Outdoor Concert Series. Pontchartrain Vineyards, Covington, (985) 892-9744; www.pontchartrainvineyards.com

14-15 -- Gumbo Cookoff. New Iberia, (337) 364-1836; www.iberiaparish.com

14-15 -- St. Anthony Parish Octoberfest. Gretna, 367-0689

14 -- Fall for Art. Covington, (985) 892-8650; www.sttammanyart.org

14 -- Pumpkin Festival. Red Bluff Farm, Folsom, (985) 796-0452; www.redblufffarm.com

15 -- Pepper Fest. St. Martinville, (337) 367-6604

15 -- Feast on the Levee. Brusly, (225) 749-2189

15 -- Louisiana Tournoi. Ville Platte, (337) 945-3457; www.louisianatournoi.com

18-21 -- Washington Parish Free Fair. Franklinton, (985) 839-5228; www.freefair.com

19-21 -- Rice Festival. Crowley, (337) 783-2108; www.ricefestival.com

20-21 -- Oktoberfest-Deutsches Haus. New Orleans, (504) 522-8014; www.deutscheshaus.org

20-22 -- Festival of the Lake. Mandeville, (985) 626-5671

20-22 -- Oktoberfest. Gonzales, (888) 775-7990; www.oktoberfestla.com

20-22 -- Louisiana Gumbo Festival. Chackbay, (877) 537-5800; www.lagumbofest.com

20-22 -- International Acadian Fest. Plaquemine, (225) 687-6549; www.KC970.org

20-22 -- Andouille Festival. LaPlace, (985) 652-9569

20-22 -- Swamp Pop Festival. Bourg, (985) 594-7410

20-22 -- St. Cletus Oyster Festival. Gretna, 367-7951

21 -- Bywater Art Market. New Orleans, 944-7900; www.bywaterartmarket.com

21 -- Pumpkin Festival. Red Bluff Farm, Folsom, (985) 796-0452; www.redblufffarm.com

21-22 -- Old Farmer's Day. Loranger, (985) 878-2360; www.oldfarmersday.com

21-22 -- Fall Garden Show. City Park, New Orleans, 483-9386; www.neworleanscitypark.com/garden

21-22 -- Wooden Boat Festival. Madisonville, (985) 845-9200; www.louisiananorthshore.com

21-22 -- N'Awlins Air Show. Belle Chasse, 678-3260

21-22 -- Cajun Oktoberfest. Sorrento, (225) 675-5572

22 -- Laurel Valley Village Fall Festival. Thibodaux, (985) 446-1187

22 -- San Francisco Plantation 150th Anniversary. Garyville, (888) 509-1756; www.sanfranciscoplantation.org

26-31 -- Greater Baton Rouge State Fair. Baton Rouge, (225) 755-FAIR; www.gbrsf.com

26-29 -- Yambilee Festival. Opelousas, (337) 948-8848; www.yambilee.com

27-28 -- Fresh Arts Festival. New Orleans, 523-1465; www.artscouncilofneworleans.org

27-28 -- Oktoberfest-Deutsches Haus. New Orleans, 522-8014; www.deutscheshaus.org

27-29 -- Fete d'Octobre. Kaplan, (337) 643-6472

27-29 -- Bucktown Seafood Festival. Metairie, 833-8224

27-29 -- French Food Festival. LaRose, (985) 693-7355; www.bayoucivicclub.org

28 -- Jazz'n the Vines Outdoor Concert Series. Pontchartrain Vineyards, Covington, (985) 892-9744; www.pontchartrainvineyards.com

28 -- Louisiana Book Festival. Baton Rouge, (225) 219-9503; www.louisianabookfestival.org

28 -- Mid-City Art Market. New Orleans, 486-MCNO; www.midcityartmarket.org

28-29 -- Oak Alley Plantation Fall Arts & Crafts Festival. Vacherie, (800) 44ALLEY; www.oakalleyplantation.com

28-29 -- VooDoo Music Experience. New Orleans, www.voodoomusicfest.com

November

1-5 -- Greater Baton Rouge State Fair. Baton Rouge, (225) 755-FAIR; www.gbrsf.com

2-6 -- Words & Music: A Literary Feast. New Orleans, 586-1609; www.wordsandmusic.org

3-5 -- Louisiana Swine Festival. Basile, (337) 432-5251; www.laswinefestival.com

3-5 -- River Parishes Festival. Norco, (985) 764-9958

4 -- Great Chili Challenge. New Iberia, (337) 364-2273

4 -- Southdown Fall Festival. Houma, (985) 851-0154; www.southdownmuseum.org

4-5 -- Celebration of the Giant Omelette. Abbeville, (337) 893-0013; www.giantomelette.org

4-5 -- Swamp Festival. Audubon Zoo, New Orleans, 581-4629; www.auduboninstitute.org

4-5 -- Shadows Civil War Encampment. New Iberia, (877) 200-4924; www.shadowsontheteche.org

4-30 -- Renaissance Festival. Baton Rouge, (985) 429-9992; www.larf.org

9-12 -- Cracklin Festival. Port Barre, (337) 585-6188

10-12 -- Westwego Cypress Swamp Fest. Westwego, 341-1003

11 -- Thibodeauxville Fall Fest. Thibodaux, (985) 446-1187; www.thibodauxchamber.com

11-12 -- Three Rivers Arts Festival. Covington, (985) 871-4141; www.threeriversartfestival.com

11-12 -- Fall Festival. Destrehan, (985) 764-9315; www.destrehanplantation.org

11-12 -- Festival in the Park Street Fair. Bogalusa, (985) 735-5731

17-19 -- Highland Games. Jackson, (225) 634-7397; www.lahighlandgames.com

18 -- Bywater Art Market. New Orleans, 944-7900; www.bywaterartmarket.com

18-19 -- Civil War Living History Re-enactment. Camp Moore, (985) 229-2438; www.campmoore.com

23-26 -- LIHA Fall Powwow. Robert, (985) 345-9244; www.hiddenoaksfamilycampground.com

24-30 -- Celebration in the Oaks. City Park, New Orleans, www.neworleanscitypark.com

25 -- Bayou Classic. New Orleans, 587-3663

25 -- Mid-City Art Market. New Orleans, 486-MCNO; www.midcityartmarket.org

December

1-3 -- Orange Festival. Belle Chase, (985) 656-7599; www.orangefestival.com

1-3 -- Christmas Arts & Crafts Expo. Covington, (985) 796-5853

1-3 -- Christmas in the Country. St. Francisville, (225) 635-4224; www.stfrancisville.us

1-10 -- Renaissance Festival. Baton Rouge, (985) 429-9992; www.larf.org

1-23 -- Celebration in the Oaks. City Park, New Orleans, www.neworleanscitypark.com

2 -- Oak Alley Christmas Bonfire. Oak Alley Plantation, Vacherie, (800) 442-5539; www.oakalleyplantation.com

2 -- A Rural Life Christmas. Baton Rouge, (225) 765-2437; http:rurallife.lsu.edu

2 -- Christmas Festival of Lights. Natchitoches, (800) 259-1714; www.christmasfestival.com

2 -- Christmas Festival Gumbo Cookoff. Jennings, (337) 821-5532; www.cityofjennings.com

2 -- Bayou Christmas Boat Parade. LaRose, (985) 693-7355

8 -- Once Upon a Cajun Christmas. Houma, (800) 688-2732

8-10 -- Festival of the Bonfires. Lutcher/Gramercy, (800) 367-7852; www.festivalofthebonfires.org

9 -- Madewood Christmas Heritage. Napoleonville, (800) 375-7151; www.madewood.com

10 -- Carolling in Washington Square. New Orleans, (888) 312-0812; www.faubourgmarigny.org

10 -- Creole Christmas Bonfire. Baton Rouge, (225) 343-4955; www.magnoliamound.org

10 -- St. Lucy Festival of Lights. St. Martinville, (337) 394-6021

14-15 -- Candlelight Christmas Tours. White Castle, (225) 545-2730; www.nottoway.com

16 -- Bywater Art Market. New Orleans, 944-7900; www.bywaterartmarket.com

16 -- Rivertown Christmas Festival. Port Allen, (800) 654-9701; www.portallen.org

17 -- Carolling in Jackson Square & Home Tour. New Orleans, 319-6226

20-21 -- Candlelight Christmas Tours. White Castle, (225) 545-2730; www.nottoway.com

24 -- Christmas Eve Bonfires on the Levee. Lutcher/Gramercy, (800) 367-7852

26-30 -- Celebration in the Oaks. City Park, New Orleans, www.neworleanscitypark.com

January 2007

3 -- Sugar Bowl. New Orleans, 828-2440; www.allstatesugarbowl.org

6 -- Phunny Phorty Phellows. New Orleans, 488-5993; www.wyes.org

6 -- Twelfth Night Revelry. Lake Charles, (800) 456-7952

12-15 -- Martin Luther King Festival. Lake Charles, (800) 456-7952

12-13 -- Living History Encampment of Battle of New Orleans Anniversary. Chalmette, 589-3882; www.nps.gov/jela/

13 -- Gumbo Cook-Off. Crowley, (337) 788-0177

13 -- Louisiana Fur & Wildlife Festival. Cameron, (800) 456-7952; www.furfestival.com

21 -- Oyster Food Fest. Jean Lafitte, 689-4757; www.townofjeanlafitte.org

February 2007

18 -- Tet New Year.

20 -- Mardi Gras.