By David Vitrano
L’Observateur

GARYVILLE – San Francisco Plantation will mark its 10th annual Frisco Fest, happening this weekend, with a return to former traditions.
This year’s Sunday schedule includes several Easter-themed activities, including pictures with the Easter Bunny, an Easter puppet show and the always-popular egg hunt.
“Originally, when I came to the plantation, those were my first events,” said General Manager Kim Fontenot.
The Easter activities round out a weekend already crammed with events and much to see and do.
“We’re ready to go,” said Fontenot. “It looks like we’re going to have great weather.”
The festival will kick off Saturday with a bike tour. Both 25- and 40-mile routes are available for those wishing to see the heart of plantation country from two wheels instead of four.
Saturday will also feature the annual car show and a cracklin’ contest.
“The car show should be really nice this year,” she said.
On Sunday, besides the Easter activities, there will be one-mile and 5K runs in the morning, and anyone who still has energy to burn can do so dancing to the tunes of Geno Delafose and the French Rockin’ Boogie from 1 to 4 p.m. in the barn.
And throughout the entire weekend, scores of vendors will be there selling all manner of hand-crafted items.
“Many of our crafters have been with us since the beginning,” said Fontenot.
No local festival would be complete without some delicious food on hand, and there will be plenty of good eating at the festival. Fontenot said that unlike other plantation festivals, the food is all cooked by local volunteers, so the proceeds all go toward upkeep of the property.
Furthermore, on Sunday there will be a chef’s choice cookoff, and for $10 visitors will be able to sample a variety of entries.
Fontenot said this year the festival has seen more corporate participation than in any of the previous nine years.
“We’re really excited for the festival,” she said. “We just try to make it better every year.”
Frisco Fest takes place on the grounds of San Francisco Plantation, 2646 Highway 44 in Garyville, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $5. Children 12 and younger get in free.
For more information including a full schedule of events, visit www.sanfranciscoplantation.org.