All I can say is that last weekend’s Bogalusa Blues and Heritage Festival got me juiced for some more live music.

I’ve said it before and it bears repeating that BBHF Executive Chair Malinda White, Co-Chair Bill Ritchie and all the volunteers deserve a hearty round of applause for making the festival a fun and safe event to attend. I know I can’t wait for BBHF IV to see what is in store.

It’s been so long that I can’t remember the last outdoor festival I attended. Maybe the last festival I went to was Jazz Fest a few years ago. I do know few festivals are run as professionally as ours was last week.

It seemed everything in Bogalusa ran like clockwork. Even down to the parking. I passed by Cassidy Park just before the festival was to kick off and wondered just how the police department was going to pull off the parking situation.

In my mind I could just see a terrific traffic jam with everybody trying to get into Cassidy Park. It seems like police departments have event parking down to a science because they utilize side streets and make everything run so smoothly. It didn’t take long at all to get into the park or exit.

White estimated 7.500 people attended the two-day festival. Certainly affordable ticket prices make it easier for families and even individuals to attend. I can’t see how tickets can get any cheaper than $10 per day. And for that price, you see so many artists on various stages.

Inexpensive tickets, several artists on various stages at one festival. It doesn’t get any better than that for music lovers.

The BBHF got me to thinking just what is next as far as music around the region goes. Louisiana usually has a festival somewhere every weekend. The Mississippi Gulf Coast is also fertile ground for some live musical events. What I found was a treasure trove of musical entertainment around the area and region.

The 2014 Gretna Festival is scheduled for three days this weekend. The festival is in its 20th season and boasts such top-notch acts that it would make any music lover drool. A single-day ticket to the Gretna Fest is $20 in advance and $25 at the gate. A weekend pass is $47.50, in advance.

Tonight’s lineup on the Main Stage has the Gregg Allman, Band and The Guess Who. Cowboy Mouth is set for the Riverfront Stage.

Saturday’s headliner on the Main Stage is Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Sunday’s schedule boasts the Funky Meters, followed by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts.

For a $47.50 ticket for three days of exceptional music that is a good deal. Not to mention getting the chance to listen to some of the smaller acts performing.

Music festivals are good for the pocketbook. You just got to find them wherever they are. Enjoy.

Randy Hammons is staff writer for The Daily News. He can be reached at 732-2565 or by email at randy.hammons@thebogalusadailynews.com.