By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – St. John the Baptist Parish is getting ready to hold the 2010 Andouille Festival at Highway 51 Park in LaPlace this weekend.

Newly crowned Andouille Queen Ron’eeka Hill will reign over the festivities, which begin Friday evening.

The festival is scheduled for Friday from 6 p.m. to midnight, Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children under 12.

Events for this year’s fest include the 32nd annual Andouille Run on Sunday at 8:30 a.m., a gumbo cook-off and apron contest on Saturday and the Jazz Brunch featuring a buffet, unlimited mimosas and jazz from the Yat Pack Sunday morning.

Local children will have plenty to entertain them as well with a full slate of Kid’s Zone Tent activities, starting with magician Nathan Kepner at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. On Saturday, the parish’s younger dancers will get a chance to shine with presentations from the LaPlace Elelmentary Tigerettes, Tori Lynn’s School of Dance, the Performing Art Dancers and Aimee’s Dance Academy. Sunday is the day for all the little ghouls and goblins to come out and play with a decorated pumpkin contest, trick or treating and a costume contest all scheduled.

Of course, food will be a major part of the weekend, with vendors selling everything from corndogs to chicken andouille gumbo and everything in between. Additionally, 20 other vendor booths will peddle handmade crafts and more.

The final main ingredient for any successful festival is music, and the Andouille Fest has it in spades. Although the fest has pared it down to just one stage for bands this year, that stage will be kept rocking from open to close all three days.

Entertainment Schedule

Friday

• Bobby Cure and the

Summertime Blues – 6-9 p.m.

• Flashback – 9:30 p.m.-midnight

Saturday

• Ruff N Ready – 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

• The Topcats – 1-4 p.m.

• “BCSN” Band – 4:30-7 p.m.

• Charmaine Neville – 7:30-9:30 p.m.

• David St. Romain – 10 p.m.-midnight

Sunday

• Bits and Pieces – 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

• Misbehavin – 2:30-5:30 p.m.

• Mojeaux – 6-10 p.m.

Kid’s Zone Events Tent

Friday

Magician Nathan Kepner – 6:30 p.m.

Nathan Kepner has been entertaining audiences for over a decade with both his stage and close-up up magic. First internationally recognized for his original style at only 16 years old, Nathan has since earned 6 international titles.

http://www.nathankepner.com

Saturday

Presentation of Festival Queens – 11 a.m.

Meet and have your picture taken with the newly crowned Kings and Queens of the Andouille Festival. Presentation of all Andouille Festival Queens including Baby – Jr. Miss and our Newly Crowned Teen and Miss Andouille 2010

LaPlace Elementary Tigerettes – 11:30 a.m.

The competitive dance team from LaPlace Elementary will perform a few dance numbers to show us what a Tigerette is really all about.

Hollywood HiSteppers –12:30 p.m.

Tori Lynn’s School of Dance – 1:30 p.m.

Tori Lynn’s School of Dance is where students receive a total dance education experience. Ms. Lynn is teaching 2nd generations of dancers and concentrates on dance technique, dance etiquette, and dance culture. Award winning competition and theatre http://torilynnsdance.com/

Performing Art Dancers – 2:30 p.m.

Our emphasis is on dance as a rewarding, fulfilling experience and is designed to meet the needs of any student interested in the art of dance. Website: – http://www.performingartsdancecenter.com/

Aimee’s Dance Academy – 3:30 p.m.

Aimee’s Dance Academy was opened in January 2006. Since the studio has opened our students have competed at local competitions and fairs. Many of our ADA students have won titles on solos and in group competition numbers. – http://www.aimeesdanceacademy.com

Rowdy Rough Boys Concert – 5 p.m

Meet the Rowdy Rough Boys. They are a local “rockin” group of 11 year olds from Destrehan. On June 12-13 they won grand champion at the Louisiana Kids state competition. This qualified them for the American Kids national competition July 12-15 – http://roughboys.tripod.com/

Movie “How to Train Your Dragon” – 7 p.m.

Newly released to DVD, the 2010 hit movie “How to Train Your Dragon” is sure to be a hit this Halloween season. Children of all ages will enjoy this special festival release. The first 80 children will receive a warrior helmet. – http://andouillefestival.com

Sunday

Decorated Pumpkin Contest – 11 a.m.

Show your creative talent and bring your decorated pumpkin to be entered into the Pumpkin Contest. Rules/Regulations and Registration can be downloaded here or can be completed the day of the contest. Does your PUMPKIN have what it takes to be the S – http://andouillefestival.com/pdfs/pumpkincontest.pdf

Tae Kwan Do Plus – 11:30 a.m.

Come watch Tim Sibley and his martial arts students perform some of their best moves and wood breaking while staying cool, calm, and collective.

Trick or Treating – Noon

Trick or treat around the festival grounds in scavenger hunt style to candy filled locations for children ages 0-12 dressed in costume. Goodies will be given out by costume character representatives from the Sheriff’s Office, Fire Dept., Parish Employees. –

Fingerprinting – SJBP Sheriff’s Office – Noon – 2 p.m.

Attention All Parents……Have you had your child fingerprinted?….If the answer is No, the time in now. FREE Fingerprinting will be available by the St. John Sheriff’s. – http://www.stjohnsheriff.org/

New Orleans Zephyr’s Mascot Boudreaux – Noon – 2 p.m.

Have your picture taken with everyone’s favorite mascot. Boudreaux has made Zephyr Field his home since 1997 when he was found lost in the swamp exhibit at the Audubon Zoo. The Zephyrs adopted Boo and put him to work as the official mascot. – http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t588

Belham Church Children’s Mime Group – 1 p.m.

Children’s Halloween Costume Contest – 2 p.m. – 4p.m.

Bring your cutest or scariest Halloween character to compete in this years first Halloween Constume Contest. A $5 entry fee includes a Trick or Treat filled goody bag. Sponsored in part by: N.O. Kids and Family Magazine.

“A Whole Lotta Hannah” – 5 p.m.

Close out the festival with a concert by no other than your personal favorite from the 2009 Andouille Festival…..Hannah Montana. This impressive impersonator will rock the festival with her upbeat tunes and high energy concert for all the kids to enjoy.