Destrehan festival makes it official: Spring has ... SPRUNG!

Shonna Riggs

PJ’s Catering owner Paul Beier and his son make crawfish beignets.

Vendors from as far away as Mississippi showcased their products at the Destrehan Plantation Spring Arts and Crafts Festival on April 21st and 22nd.

And Nancy Roberts, director of Destrehan Plantion, couldn’t have planned it better.

“It’s a beautiful day for the event and we are pleased to see so many people enjoying the festivities,” she said.
Roberts hopes the festival will boost tourism for St. Charles Parish.

“This is our second year hosting the spring festival,” Roberts told the Herald-Guide.

“We usually have just one festival in the fall, but after Hurricane Katrina we decided to have a festival in the spring, too, because we want more people to visit St. Charles Parish.

"We did a lot more advertising this year to try to get more vendors to come out and set up their booths.”

Roberts said more people are familiar with the fall festival and her goal is to make both events equally popular.

"The best thing about this festival is people talk about it and the word spreads throughout the arts and crafts community,” she said.

One couple heard about the event and  traveled all the way from Brookhaven, Mississippi to sell their wares and soak up the sun.

“We travel a lot to display and sell our handmade hummingbird feeders and bat catchers,” said Larry Cotten.
“My wife, Shirley, and I attended a similar festival in Alexandria and some people we met over their told us about the festival in Destrehan.

“We decided to come out, and we like it so much that we’re already planning on coming back later this year for the fall festival.”

Jessica Davis, a LaPlace resident and owner of Razzle Dazzle Diva Dozz, set up her booth at the spring festival for the first time to promote her business and make some money.

Inspired by the children’s character, Pipi Longstocking, Davis creates works of art on children’s heads and faces using colorful string, bows, ribbons, glitter and flowers.

“I lost everything I owned in Hurricane Katrina, relocated to LaPlace and started my own business,” Davis said.  
“I’m really excited being here and I hope to meet people who will become regular customers for me after the festivities are over.”

Roberts said people come not only to enjoy over 100 arts and craft booths, they also want to sample the Cajun and Creole foods, admire the antiques and collectibles, and learn some history and culture.

“There are lots of things for families to do at the festival,” she said. “The kids and adults enjoy the craft demonstrations and exhibits, the pony rides and live musical entertainment.”