NEW IBERIA, La. --- The Louisiana Gourd Society will hold its second annual "Gourding on the Bayou" gourd show at the Willow Wood Multi Purpose Building in New Iberia at 113 Willow Wood Dr., on April 3 from 1-5 p.m. and April 4-5 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

"The Louisiana Gourd Society is happy to host its second annual gourd show in New Iberia, a great place to savor Louisiana and 'pass a gourd time,'" said Kate Bangle, the LGS show chair. "Discover the diverse world of gourds presented by our own state gourd society."

There will be a "Kids' Korner" where children have the opportunity to decorate their own gourd to take home. Attendees will be able to shop at the artists booths or take a class from an experienced gourd artist. A wide variety of dried raw gourds, gourd crafting supplies, tools and gourd art will be available for purchase. 

The attending crowd will vote on the recipient of the "People's Choice Award" from all the entries in the ribbon art competition. There will be a silent auction in addition to the raffle of the 2014 LGS traveling gourd, "Louisiana Native Wildflowers", with artwork by seven of LGS members. Raffle tickets are $1 each and are available online and at the show. The traveling gourd will be displayed at the Iberia Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau before the show.

"We invite everyone to come and savor this experience," said Fran Thibodeaux, executive director of the Iberia Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Not only can you view and purchase beautifully painted gourds, you can also learn from an experienced artist how to paint your very own gourd, and, if you decide to take up the craft, there will be supplies on site to get you started." 

Admission is $5 for both days and parking is free. Children 12 and under get in free with a paying adult.

The deadline to sign up for open classes online and by mail is March 31. Participants should register early for the classes as some may cancel if the listed minimum number of students are not enrolled prior to March 16. Registration fees include all supplies needed unless otherwise noted and a $5 handling fee for the LGS. Students who register by March 31 will receive a two day attendance pass (wristband) in their show packet. 

For more information, contact Kate Bangle at 337-824-8952. To register, visit louisianagourdsociety.org