By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Festival-goers descending on the grounds of the St. John Parish Community Center this weekend for the 39th annual Andouille Festival should be on the lookout for a few new morsels added to the mix of activities.

Paige Braud, spokesperson for the parish, said suggestions from residents and regulars to the festival prompted the parish to add new features and tweak some of the schedule to attract more participation. Most prominent among the changes is the addition of a gospel music tent as part of the Sunday schedule.

“The tent will feature entertainment from 2:30 to 6:30 on Sunday,” Braud said. “We pulled together a good group of local performers and some church choirs. It is something that has often been suggested.”

Also new to the grounds for Saturday and Sunday is a kids’ art tent, an element of the successful children’s section that was added last year. Braud said the tent will feature instruction from local artists, including students from East St. John High School’s Visual and Talented Arts Program.

“There will be instruction on how to paint on canvas,” Braud said. “The kids will be painting an interpretation of the Andouille Festival theme.”

Braud said the art tent will have four sessions per day during Saturday and Sunday starting at 12:30 p.m. The last session will begin at 5:15 p.m. Seating for each session is limited, so residents are encouraged to register in advance at www.andouillefestival.com.

Braud said the parish also elected to move the annual Andouille Run from Sunday morning to Saturday morning because of conflicts with the Sunday Jazz Brunch. She said many residents asked for the switch so they could participate in both events. The run begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and late registration will continue through Friday. Residents may register at the parish office, 1801 W. Airline Highway, LaPlace, or at Snap Fitness, 524 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace. Registration fee is $18.

The brunch, meanwhile, is scheduled for 9 a.m. Sunday at the St. John Community Center Atrium. Braud said seating is limited to the first 100 tickets purchased and the menu, featuring a variety of andouille dishes, will be catered by Cajun Grill Restaurant in LaPlace. Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased at the parish office or at Cajun Grill’s Restaurant location at 135 Belle Terre Blvd. Tickets may be sold at the door if seating is available.

Braud said the festival will feature a variety of arts and crafts booths all weekend, along with entertainment from 10 main stage bands, along with additional entertainment in the Kids’ Zone.

Braud added that “pay one price” ride tickets are still available in advance of the festival at the parish office, Matherne’s Supermarket in LaPlace, Gregg’s Neighborhood Store and Don’s Country Store in Reserve and the courthouse in Edgard. Advance tickets are $20.