Blackpot Festival and Cook-Off

This unique festival celebrates its thirteenth year with a weekend full of music, dancing, and food at Vermilionville. It's a cooperative of South Louisiana musicians, artists, and roots enthusiasts who'll be joined by groups from other parts of the country, too. Live performances range from Cajun and zydeco to blues, bluegrass, Americana, swing, and Irish. An accordion contest and square dancing add to the music fever, and, as the name would suggest, an old-fashioned black pot cook-off on Saturday afternoon with gumbo, gravy, cracklin', jambalaya, and dessert categories feeding the masses. Overnight camping is encouraged, so dust off that tent and get back to your roots (or if you prefer to sleep above the roots, bring your RV; see the website for camping fees). 300 Fisher Road. blackpotfestival.com for full details.