By LEONARD GRAY

This weekend is the St. John Parish Andouille Festival and it’s a perfect time to experience one of the most special delights to be found in the River Parishes – the good fellowship of our people.

Oh, yes. There’s also the andouille sausage.

The spicy, smoky flavor of andouille is an apt representation of the cultural blends which make up the people of the River Parishes. There are Cajun, German and African-American, to be sure. These cultures continue to make their contributions to our lifestyles, each bringing their own zest for life and good times. It is said the people of the River Parishes know how to pass a good time, and there’s any number of good excuses for a party. We celebrate everything, and one of the best ways we celebrate is through our food.

So, besides the original andouille sausage, as unique to this area as Perique tobacco in Grand Point, we celebrate all our cultural and culinary influences with gumbo, jambalaya and onion mums. The best place to indulge our cravings for these delights is at our fairs and festivals. The best place to find the real, true andouille is right here in LaPlace at the St. John Andouille Festival.

Certainly, ride the rides, buy some crafts and visit your friends and neighbors. However, this is the perfect opportunity as well to swap recipes, experiment with some taste treats you may not have tried before and introduce visitors and the next generation to one of the pleasures of the River Parishes.

Eat up, everyone, and let the good times roll!

LEONARD GRAY is assistant managing editor of L’Observateur. He may be reached at (985) 652-9545.