By David Vitrano
L’Observateur

LAPLACE – The Andouille Festival is once again in full swing after taking a year off in the wake of Hurricane Isaac in 2012.
The festival began Friday and runs Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Highway 51 Park in LaPlace.
All of the favorites from years past are back along with some new activities. There will be music all weekend long on the Smokehouse Stage as well as with a full day of gospel music Sunday at the Lagniappe Stage.
Saturday’s schedule also includes the Gumbo Cook Off, which begins at 8 a.m. in front of the Civic Center, and cooking demonstrations from noon until 3 p.m.
On Sunday, the annual Jazz Brunch, prepared this year by former Masterchef contestant Avis White, will fuel everyone for a full day at the festival, and the Baby Andouille Pageant will take over Hall A at the Civic Center at noon.
Also, L’Observateur will once again be helming a booth inside the Sponsors’ Pavilion, so come by to enter the drawing for a Kindle Fire, take advantage of great subscription deals or just to say hello.
For more information on the Andouille Festival, check out the special section from Wednesday’s edition — L’Observateur will have copies available at the festival, too — or visit andouillefestival.com.