By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Fall has officially arrived, and with cooler temperatures creeping across the region, many festivals are set to take place over the coming weeks throughout the River Parishes.

As St. John the Baptist Parish gears up for its own Andouille Festival, Oct. 14-16, L’Observateur last week asked visitors to its website what their favorite parts of local festivals are.

Unsurprisingly for a place where roots run deep and everyone seems to know everyone else, respondents’ top attraction was just socializing with friends and neighbors. Nearly one-third chose this option.

Live music and the perennial favorite — food — finished second among respondents. That food finished so strongly should come as no surprise, as many festivals in the region are actually named for the local delicacy.

Rounding out the choices, one in 10 respondents selected the arts and crafts vendors as their favorite festival fare.

Although usually geared toward the younger set, rides did top the list for 3 percent of respondents.

A full breakdown of results follows:

• 3 percent of respondents chose “Rides.”

• 10 percent of respondents chose “Arts and crafts.”

• 28 percent of respondents chose “Live music and other entertainment.”

• 31 percent of respondents chose “Socializing with friends and neighbors.”

• 28 percent of respondents chose “Food.”