By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

DESTREHAN – Destrehan Plantation held its 39th annual Fall Festival this weekend, and after nearly four decades, the event showed no signs of slowing down.

One of the oldest such festivals in the area, the two-day event featured scores of local and national artisans selling everything from pickles and paintings to candles and condiments.

Scattered throughout the grounds were people dressed in period attire demonstrating some of the skills that were put to use during the antebellum heyday of plantation life. Open hearth cooking and traditional weaving were on display as women in long hoop skirts led visitors on tours of the historic mansion.

Of course, as at any Louisiana festival food was a major draw. Attendees lined up to get a taste of the delicacies, which made ample use of local seafood with dishes like crab bisque over fried catfish, softshell crab poboys and fried eggplant with seafood cream sauce. Near the food, bands entertained diners and revelers with live music.

For the little ones, a bungee ride, a spacewalk and pony rides kept smiles on their faces all weekend long.

All framed beneath the ancient oaks at Destrehan Plantation, the combination of art and atmosphere made it the perfect way to spend a pleasant autumn weekend.