The first of Tangipahoa Parish’s traditional festivals to make comeback from the pandemic is happening this weekend – the Independence’s Sicilian Heritage Festival. Usually held the second weekend in March, the Sicilian Festival may be a little warmer than usual, but it is returning with all the favorite traditions – live music, the spaghetti eating contest, the meatball toss competition, Italian dancers, dancing in the streets and the opportunity to win a trip to Sicily.

An open house reception is scheduled for Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the Independence Cultural Museum, 524 W. Pine St. The museum will be open during the festival with free admission. The festival this weekend will take place along the railroad tracks and blocked-off sections of US 51.