About 20 minutes south east of the heart of New Orleans, there is this annual festival. In Arabi, there is one of the largest sugar refineries in the United States, a Domino sugar factory. They have done a lot for the community, was one of the largest employers in the area to reopen after Hurricane Katrina, in this area that was heavily damaged, and they helped their employees get back on their feet. They have refurbished the old parish jail down the street to a sugar museum which glosses over some of the major points, but does highlight a lot of how sugar came in to the area.
This festival, held in Aycock Barn, which also houses the welcome center for St Bernard Parish, is small but family led. Domino Sugar also has a booth where they pass out 5lb bags of sugar, some recipes, and a few other knick knacks for free. There are booths with food for sale, knick knacks and other home made goods for sale. There is a band playing 80's cover songs. Very small, very cute, you can be done walking around in about 5 minutes. Parking is NOT bad at all. I was able to park across the street, for free. Seriously. There are all sorts of gifts for the upcoming holidays to buy, kids activities, beverages to drink, even a taste test for desserts, a competition and an eating competition. Amazing. These things DO still happen, and within a short distance from a major city. Come on out next year. I have included some links to give you more information.
For information on the Annual Sugar Festival, here are some links:
http://www.visitstbernard.com/events/9th-annual-sugar-festival#.WeKEb0yZOb8
http://www.visitstbernard.com/experience/events-calendar#.WeKEj0yZOb8
https://www.facebook.com/StBTourism/
For some information about the nearby Sugar museum:
https://www.bestofneworleans.com/gambit/old-arabi-sugar-museum-opens-in-st-bernard-parish/Slideshow/2269047/2269057
http://www.visitstbernard.com/listings/play/old-arabi-sugar-museum#.WeKFN0yZOb8
https://www.facebook.com/SugarMuseum/
https://www.yelp.com/biz/old-arabi-sugar-museum-arabi read more