Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival: Alternate Routes and Safety Advisories

BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana State Police announced alternative routes for attendees traveling to the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival, set to take place from April 11 to April 13.

As the festival is expected to draw around 300,000 visitors, officials emphasized the importance of planning ahead to ensure a smooth travel experience. Travelers entering Ponchatoula from Baton Rouge should exit Interstate 12 eastbound at Pumpkin Center (exit #35), head south to La. 22, then continue east on La. 22 into the festival area.

For those coming from New Orleans, the advisable route involves taking the Causeway Bridge into Mandeville and proceeding west on La. 22 toward Ponchatoula. Visitors entering from Slidell or Covington should exit I-12 westbound at La. 445 (exit #47), head south to La. 22, and then continue west to reach the festival.

Attendees arriving from Mandeville can access Ponchatoula directly via La. 22, which provides a straightforward route into the event.

In anticipation of the large crowds, officials have also issued safety recommendations for festival-goers. These include avoiding distracted driving, planning a safe route home before festivities start, and designating a sober driver if consuming alcohol. Attendees are encouraged to take advantage of taxi or ride-share services if impaired.

“Remember, if you’re encountering a driver who appears impaired, it is crucial that you contact local law enforcement,” a spokesperson for Louisiana State Police said. “And if someone you know is about to drive while impaired, take their keys to prevent potential tragedies on the road.”

Safety is paramount, and officials stress that wearing seatbelts is one of the most effective measures to minimize the risk of serious injury or fatality in the event of an accident.