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Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Parades & Events 2016

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Contrary to popular belief, Mardi Gras can be family-friendly. The festival seems like it was made for children, with floats derived from the depths of the most ingenious imaginations, costumes and masks that express an unending creativity, bold colors and joyous music abounds through parades. And, most importantly, the beads, doubloons and other treats thrown to the crowds from the floats are a child’s delight.

Mardi Gras 2016 is Tuesday, February 9

mardi gras

Baton Rouge Moms has put together a comprehensive Family Friendly Mardi Gras Guide with Mardi Gras  parades, a printable PDF and tips for parade goers.

Madri Gras Fun Fact: Rex selected the official Mardi Gras colors in 1872 to honor the visiting Russian Grand Duke Alexis  Alexandrovich Romanoff, whose house colors were purple, green and gold.

Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Parades 2016:

Please check the individual parade organizations’ websites for updated details.

Krewe of Artemis

Friday, January 29 at 7pm  – The Krewe of Artemis 14th Annual Mardi Gras Parade will roll through the streets of downtown Baton Rouge on Friday, January 29, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. Join the excited revelers as they line the parade route while joining in the festivities and experiencing Baton Rouge Mardi Gras….Artemis style!!Revelers will be treated with themed throws, including the Krewe of Artemis’ signature High Heeled Shoe, along with footballs, tambourines, stuffed animals, float beads and lighted throws. Parade begins and ends at the corner of Government Street and St. Philip Street. 

Krewe of Mystique de la CAPITALE

Saturday, January 30 at 2pm – The Krewe of Mystique de la Capitale welcomes you to the 2016 Mardi Gras Parade as they celebrate 38 years of parading in Louisiana’s capital city. We are the city’s oldest parading Mardi Gras Krewe and we’ve shared 38 wonderful years of carnival fun in Baton Rouge. The parade is family oriented and promises fun for all ages. The parade consists of marching bands, 12 to 14 floats that represent the Krewe along with many local businesses, and charitable organizations.

Krewe of Orion

Krewe of Orion

Saturday, January 30 at 6:30pm – The Krewe of Orion’s 17th annual Mardi Gras parade will roll through downtown Baton Rouge on January 30, 2016! This family-oriented parade begins and ends at the corner of Government Street and St. Philip Street. Parade goers will be treated to a lineup of exciting, colorful traditional lighted and tractor-pulled floats. Rollin’ with the theme of “Jet Set” with Orion! Masked and costumed riders will throw plenty of Orion parade theme medallions, footballs, cups, plush animals, swords, doubloons, lighted throws, and beads. Marching bands, as well as riding and marching units will be among the great sights and sounds at this wonderful parade.

The CAAWS Mystic Krewe of Mutts ParadeCAAWS MYSTIC KREWE OF MUTTS 

Sunday, January 31, 2:00pm  – The CAAWS Mystic Krewe of Mutts is a family-oriented, fun-filled, parade and promises all a very special day. Mardi Gras colored costumes and pet-sized floats will roll along North Boulevard on Sunday, January 31st.  The CAAWS Mystic Krewe of Mutts Paw Wars – The Furs Unleashed January 31, 2016 Downtown Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Parade 2:00 Bark in the Park 10-4. Parade begins at North Boulevard and St. Ferdinand Street, turning North at 8th Street and ending at North Boulevard and Fourth Street.

FOR SAFETY PURPOSES, NO RETRACTABLE LEASHES ARE ALLOWED, NOR ANY LEASHES LONGER THAN 6′. Your dog should have a proof of current rabies vaccination tag. No puppies under 12 weeks, aggressive dogs, or dogs in heat are allowed.

Krewe of Southdowns 

Friday, February 5th at 7pm – This parade is Baton Rouge’s family-friendly evening parade that rolls through the Southdowns Neighborhood from Glasgow Middle School. The theme for the Southdowns 2016 parade will be “Under The Big Top”.

Krewe of Good Friends of the Oaks

Sunday, February 7th at 2pm – The theme for the 2016 parade will be CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF PORT ALLEN (history, local festivals, music, landmarks, celebrities, etc) The 32nd Krewe of Good Friends of the Oaks Mardi Gras parade will begin and end at the corner of the LA-1 Service Road and Oaks Avenue. The parade route is as follows: east on Oaks Avenue to Jefferson Avenue, north on Jefferson Avenue to Court Street, west on Court Street to Sixth Street, north on Sixth Street to Louisiana Avenue, east on Louisiana Avenue to Jefferson Avenue, south on Jefferson Avenue to Oaks Avenue, west on Oaks Avenue to LA-1 Service Road.

ADDIS MARDI GRAS PARADE

Sunday, January 31, 2016
1:00 pm  (NEW TIME)
MORE INFO TO COME
Theme of Parade:  ADDIS GOES TO HOLLYWOOD
 

Krewe Denham Springs

Saturday, January 30, 2016
3-5 p.m please contact Roni Juneau at carljuneau@cox.net or ronijuneau@yahoo.com for any information.
 

 

baton rouge Ultimate Mardi Gras Party

Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Festival 2016

Saturday, February 6th, from 10:00am to 6:00pm – The Ultimate Louisiana Mardi Gras Party 2016 will take place Saturday, February 6th, from 10:00am to 6:00pm at North Boulevard Town Square, located at 247 Florida Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801. The event will showcase live bands and Krewes, with a Vendor Village, art exhibits, food and more. The event is free and open to the public. ‘Taste of Louisiana’ meal tickets and VIP tickets available at an additional cost.

family-gras_0

Family Gras 2015 in Metairie

JANUARY 29, 30 & 31 – This celebration of carnival and family takes place on the neutral ground of Veterans Memorial Boulevard across from Lakeside Shopping Center in Metairie, Louisiana.

Entertainment for 2015 Family Gras includes Cowboy Mouth, Amanda Shaw, former Journey member Steve Augeri, former members of the Electric Light Orchestra, Courtney Cole, Blood Sweat & Tears, Wilson Phillips and Montgomery Gentry. Local and regional artists set up in the Art Market, where you can buy their work throughout the whole festival.  Flambeau Food Court vendors will be there cooking up Louisiana favorites, like jambalaya, crawfish pasta, muffulettas, pizza and gator-on-a-stick. There will also be local goodies like bread pudding and king cake.

NOLA Mardi Gras

 If you are new to Baton Rouge  and or Louisiana, the only place you should avoid with kids is the French Quarter. It’s best to see the parades when they begin on St. Charles Avenue near Napoleon, since parades can go on well into the night by the end of the parade route. The Garden District are of St. Charles is also family area where you will see many families enjoying the day and planting themselves to see the parades.

The Sunday before Mardi Gras is particularly family oriented, with Thoth parading down Magazine Street and Bacchus rolling later in the afternoon.

The Krewe of Barkus is a delightful dog parade that rolls the Sunday prior to Thoth. It begins in Congo Square and parades through the French Quarter and is remarkable fun for children of any age.

On Fat Tuesday, visitors are encouraged to join the local tradition of masking. Zulu, an African American parade, leads the long day of parades on Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras itself. Children scramble for the much desired coconuts handed down by float riders.

Mardi Gras 2016 New Orleans Parade Schedule
Mardi Gras 2016 Northshore Parade Schedule
2016 Acadiana Mardi Gras Schedule

Your guide to Mardi Gras King Cakes in Baton Rouge

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We’ve just finished up Christmas 2015 and welcomed in the new year, it’s time to celebrate new beginnings and count down to more fun! We’ll barely have time to catch our breath from the New Year celebration before Mardi Gras 2016 is in full swing! We’re sure you’ve noticed that King Cakes are already at your favorite local markets and bakeries so we thought it best to kick off our Mardi Gras Guide with a Guide to King Cakes in Baton Rouge.

On the Christian calendar, the 12th day after Christmas is celebrated as the date that the gift-bearing Magi visited the baby Jesus. This day, January 6, is known by several names, including “Epiphany”, “Twelfth Night”, or “Kings Day”. The King Cake is a traditional reenactment of Epiphany, the day the Magi arrived in Bethlehem and presented gifts to baby Jesus the twelfth night after his birth. I tried my very first king cake while living abroad in Toulouse, France. “Epiphany cakes” are found throughout Europe–in England, it is known as a Twelfth Night cake, Roscón de reyes or rosca de reyes (kings’ ring) is a Spanish and Latin American King Cake pastry and in France, the King Cake is known as the Gteau De Rois. All very similar and all delicious!

Your guide to King Cakes in Baton Rouge

There are numerous places to get king cake and a plethora of flavors to choose from… Traditional, Cream-cheese, Chocolate, Praline, Strawberry, Apple,  Raspberry to Bacon, Boudin and Maple! Below we’ve listed twenty places where you can get your King Cake fix. Check back at the end of the week to see the top 5 from the list via our Facebook poll!

Your guide to Mardi Gras King Cake in Baton Rouge:

Your guide to Mardi Gras King Cake in Baton Rouge:

  1. Alexander’s – 18111 Highland Market Drive – Phone: 615-7800
  2. Ambrosia Bakery – 8546 Siegen Lane – Phone: 763-6489
  3. Another Piece of Cake – 14112 Greenwell Springs Rd. Central, LA Phone: 810-3377
  4. Baums – Florida Blvd Location 8046 Florida Blvd. Phone: 927-0760 – Perkins Road Location 10550 Perkins Rd. Phone: 767-4838
  5. Brew Ha Ha – 711 Jefferson Hwy Suite 2-A – Phone: 923-1923
  6. Cake Jewels – King Cake Balls – Phone: 337-0253
  7. Calandro’s – Government Street: 383-7815 • Perkins Road: 767-6659
  8. Cupcake Allie – 753 Perkins Road, Suite #6 Phone: 302-7096
  9. Daily Donut – Gonzales– 12503 Airline Hwy
  10. Gambino’s– 8646 Goodwood Blvd – Phone: 928-7000
  11. Gourmet Girls– 3025 Perkins Rd – Phone: 252-0999
  12. LeBlanc’s – 8 locations in Louisiana
  13. 11826 Coursey Blvd – Phone: 293-8115
  14. Thee Heavenly Donut– 17732 Highland Rd – 753.7711 5830 –  S. Sherwood Forest Blvd. – 368.0090 – 15507 Hwy 44 Gonzales – 622.7797
  15. Mr. Ronnies– 216 Lee Dr, Ste D Phone: 223-6116
  16. My Sugar Belle– 5151 Plank Rd, Ste 42 Phone: 355-8080
  17. Nanette Mayhall Phone: 343-4530.
  18. NY Bagel– 8342 Perkins Rd – Phone: 218-6070
  19. Oak Point Fresh Market – Watson and Central locations
  20. Ralphs– 15013 Hwy 44 Gonzales – 622-4044 – 6576 Jones Creek Road – 752-1004 – 6431 Hwy 44 (Pelican Point) Gonzales – 473-1004
  21. Randazzos– You can get your Baton Rouge Randazzo’s at Carnival Mart off Florida BLVD and at Capital City Crawfish!
  22. Strands Cafe– 226 LAUREL ST.- Phone: 344-5346
  23. Tiger Deaux-Nuts– 5162 Government St Phone: 421-1091

These are not the only places to find King Cake in the Baton Rouge area but this is a great start! If we have missed one of your favorites, please let us know in the comments below. Check our Facebook page for King Cake giveaways and be sure to check back for our Mardi Gras Parade Guide, tomorrow!
Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Guide

Making Time for Family – Five Fall Bucket List Favorites

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One of my favorite things to do since becoming a mom is making plans for us to do things with my family, it’s so important to me. Being pregnant this summer, I failed miserably to do that. I don’t think we checked one thing off of the bucket list I created. It was either too hot, or I was too tired to get out and do a whole lot. Mommy guilt has me feeling like I need to make that up to my three favorite people.

Fall has always been my favorite season. I love the Autumn breezes, the colorful leaves, eating fried Oreos at fairs, and the oh-so-good Pumpkin Spice Latte which by the way I should’ve already had by now! This is the perfect time to get out and have a great time with family and friends. The weather is perfect and never too hot or too cool for the kiddos.
I like to carve out any amount of time I can for us to have fun together. So for  this fall season I’ve created yet another bucket list. Only this time, we are definitely checking most, if not all, things off. I’m sharing my top 5 bucket list items. My list actually has 10 things on it, but these are the five that we absolutely must do.

Fall Bucket List Five

Five Fall Bucket List Favorites

1. Picnic in the park
Yes, I plan to grab a blanket, books, food, and toys for Ava and play with her while daddy and Landen throw frisbees or something.

2. Camping
My son has been asking to go camping for quite some time now. I figure if I stock up on enough mosquito repellent I could probably survive. But a night in the camper with maybe some fishing (and s’mores of course) should be lots of fun!

3. Pumpkin Patch
Because it’s just not fall if there isn’t a trip to the pumpkin patch!

4. Global Wildlife Center
I’ve heard such great things about Global Wildlife. Unfortunately,  anyone who knows me, knows I’m terrified of animals. My son though, is quite the opposite. I know that he’d love being up close and personal with the animals and getting to feed them.

5. Volunteering
Fall season is also the season of Thanks. With so much to be thankful for, we must keep in mind that there are others less fortunate. Occasional donations of food and clothing are ways that we try and bless others, but in this season we plan to “serve” others through our Church’s annual serve opportunities!

These are my top 5 fall bucket list items. They make for excellent ways to spend time together and do things as a family. You don’t have to create a bucket list, you can just create small moments whenever you can to make time for family time!

What’s your favorite Fall family activity?

Baton Rouge Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze Guide

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UPDATED: FIND THE 2016 Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze Guide for Baton Rouge HERE!!

I think it’s safe to say that we’re all longing for cooler weather and a change of seasons. There is plenty to do in and around Baton Rouge during the fall season and we have your complete guide to fall events and happenings. Whether you’re looking for a pumpkin patch, fall festival, hay rides, or a corn maze to visit, there’s the cornucopia of Baton Rouge fall events this year. If you have something to add, please leave it in the comments!

This year we decided to include events and activities taking place in Baton Rouge and beyond. We’re sharing events within a 60 mile radius of Baton Rouge. Be sure to check out our comprehensive list of Fall activities on Facebook as well. We put together a similar event page for summer activities and events and it was incredibly useful and turned into a great resource to go to throughout the summer. We have done it again for fall and all you have to do is join the event, share with your friends and watch for new fall activities to be listed daily!

While every effort has been made to ensure this information is accurate, we encourage you to contact the patch directly to verify that all details are correct and have not changed. If you have information on a Pumpkin Patch that we missed, please leave info in the comments below. Thank you!

 

Baton Rouge Fall activities Pumpkin Patch

We’re starting off with a Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze guide, tomorrow we will post Fall Activities and Festivals.

Baton Rouge Area Pumpkin Patch Locations

Ascension Parish

  • NewSong On Old Perkins Rd – pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, tractor-pulled hay rides
    18465 Old Perkins Rd, Prairieville, LA 70769. Phone: 225-313-6736. Alternate Phone: 225-978-8882. Open: Monday to Friday, from 2 pm to 6 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm, Sunday from 12 pm to 6 pm; October 8 to October 31. Directions: Close to Blue Bayou Water Park.

 East Baton Rouge Parish

  • Blackwater United Methodist Church – Blackwater United Methodist’s Pumpkin Patch.
    Open: Pumpkin Patch October 5 – 30, 2014; Pumpkin Patch Hours: Monday – Friday 9 am – 12 pm/3 pm – 7pm; Saturday 9 am – 5 pm and Sunday 1 pm – 5 pm; Saturday “FUN” days is a host of games in the gym on Saturday October 10th, 17th, and 24th; Touch-a-Truck – October 17, 2015; Craft Show – October 24, 2015; Trunk-or-Treat – October 25, 2014 (see their website for hours)
  • Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze Guide - Baton RougeLSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens – pumpkins for sale in the shop or farmstand, Fall festival, corn maze, kiddie (mini) corn maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, Honey from hives on the farm, gift shop, concessions / refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours, group reservations, events at your location (call for info) 4560 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. Phone: 225-763-3990
  • Jefferson United Methodist Church – The Pumpkin Patch is the largest mission project at JUMC. All net proceeds are distributed to local missions, plus help fund our youth mission trip. Last year we were able to donate thousands of dollars – all because of the volunteers willing to work the patch. Plus, with the Kick-Off event new people can experience JUMC. Opens Oct.1-th Call for details!
  • Trinity Lutheran Pumpkin Patch – Opens in October call for details 10925 Florida Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70815
    (225) 272-3110  

Livingston Parish

Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze Guide - Baton Rouge

  • Mrs. Heather’s Pumpkin and Strawberry Patch – Pick a Pumpkin from the field – Zip line, Jumping Pillow, Tunnel Slide, Face Painting, Duck Racing, Pedal Tractors, See Cotton, Growing, Hay Maze Milk a Cow Roll Down the Hill Catch Mrs. Heather telling how pumpkins grow Merry go round Play Horse Shoes Nature Trail Lots of places to take pictures Weigh & Measure your pumpkin, Bring a Picnic Lunch, Paint a pumpkin (weekend only)  Schedule: OPENS Monday – Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm Sat – Sun 10:00am – 5:00pm September 23 – November 8 Admission: Kids (newborn & up): $7 per child Adults: Free Birthday Parties: $100 (up to 10 children) $7 (per child after that)31458 La 43 Hwy, Albany, LA 70711. Phone: 225-567-3493

East Feliciana Parish

Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze Guide - Baton Rouge

 

  • Barn Hill Preserve – Sept 30th through Nov. 2nd. 225) – 286 – 3003 11342 LA-955, Ethel, LA 70730 

 

Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze Guide – Baton Rouge

Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze Guide - Baton Rouge

  • LSU AgCenter Corn Maze –  Hike the corn maze, Play on the hay mountain, Paint a pumpkin, toss a water balloon, see the Red Barn animals, or take the hayride through the fields.  The corn maze pumpkin patch runs on September 27-28 from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.  Also on October 4, 11, and 18 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.  The night maze is open on October 25th from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm.  The LSU Rural Life Museum cost is $9.  The corn maze is a separate additional $5 attraction.  The fun is located at 4560 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA.
  • Cajun Country Corn – Open Friday through Sunday the last weekend in September until late November.  Cajun Country Corn has been farming food and fiber for over 30 years. They started their corn maze in 2000 and have been doing it ever since. Past themes have featured All Aboard Riverboat (2014), Mr. Troy Landry of Swamp People (2013), Louisiana – Stirring it up for 200 years (2012) and Girl Scouts (2011). In addition to the regular maze, they open up a portion of the maze on Friday and Saturday nights for haunting. Other spooky attractions include the haunted trail, board maze and zombie paintball. You can also enjoy the pumpkin blaster, corn cannon and other farm attractions while you are there. Pine Grove, LA – 7 Acres

Be sure to check back tomorrow for our Fall Activities and Festivals guide!

Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze Guide - Baton Rouge

Fourth of July Event Guide – Baton Rouge

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We are fortunate to live in the land of the free, home of the brave, thanks to our founders and those who fought for freedom so long ago. Today, we celebrate America’s Independence with food, fun, family gatherings, fireworks and most importantly, honoring those who have served and continue to serve.

Looking for something to do in Baton Rouge for the Forth of July? There are plenty of red, white and blue events celebrating Independence Day – we’ve got you covered with a star-studded guide to help you!

Baton Rouge Moms will always bring you the best in Family Friendly events in and around the Baton Rouge area.

Family Friendly Baton Rouge 4th of July

July 2nd

Baton Rouge

farm_to_fourth-Baton-Rouge

Farm to Fourth Market –  8am – Noon. The second annual Farm to Fourth Market will be a great family event held on Thursday, July 2nd at Pennington Biomedical Research Center. The “Farm to Fourth” celebration includes samples and Fourth of July supplies from Baton Rouge’s best farmers and food artisans. They will be cooking and sampling some great Fourth of July dishes, like grilled gulf shrimp, barbecue brisket sandwiches, smoked sausage, grilled local veggies, and smoked whole chickens. More than two dozen local vendors will be a part of the Farm to Fourth celebration. #eatlocal #farmtofourth

July 3rd

Kenilworth Independence Day Parade – “Learning to Love Liberty” – On this 70th anniversary of D-Day, come celebrate our nation’s birthday at the parade and join us for one of Baton Rouge’s premier Independence Day events! The parade features military and civic groups, bagpipers, antique cars, buggies, elected officials, horse groups, and more!!  Swing by Kenilworth Science & Technology School for the start of the parade. Enjoy the music of the Jemini Venture bluegrass band. Come visit with the animal adoption agencies who will be there. The Baton Rouge Sheriff Department wil be on the school grounds taking identification fingerprints for kids. Friday, July 3, 2014 6:30 pm 

Screen Shot 2015-06-12 at 4.04.49 PM3rd of July Fireworks – The ONLY fireworks program in Ascension Parish! Main Street Donaldsonville is proud to once again produce the 3rd of July Fireworks. CF Industries, City of Donaldsonville and Donaldsonville Downtown Development District sponsoring this annual COMMUNITY EVENT for all. COME HUNGRY! COME EARLY ! FOOD, CRAFTS, DANCING For details, call (225) 323-2555

 

July 4th

Downtown Development District Events:

8 a.m. – BASF Freedom Mile

Join BASF and Club South Runners for a one-mile race through downtown Baton Rouge. Race begins on River Road near the USS Kidd. A series of one-mile races and a half-mile Parent/Child Run. Transportation provided to start area. Watermelon, fruit, Coca Cola products and Mockler Beerages afterwards. 1st race to start at 7:30 a.m. with other events to follow every 20 minutes. For more information visit www.rrca.org or 927-9200, www.clubsouthrunners.net

9 a.m. – 9 p.m. USS KIDD’s 4th of July Spectacular!

Games, patriotic crafts, inflatables, face painting, and lots more to entrain kids of all ages! For more information call 342-1942 or visit www.usskidd.com No ice chests, barbecue pits, tents or pets allowed.

USS KIDD’s 4th of July Spectacular!

9 p.m. Fireworks On The Mississippi – This year’s fireworks display can be viewed from either side of the Mississippi River, either in Downtown Baton Rouge or in Port Allen. WBRZ would like to encourage the public to join us in our annual tradition of honoring our troops and our great nation. NOTE: No ice chests, BBQ pits, tents or pets allowed.

North Bouleard Town Square : “Patriots on the Beacon”

Honoring our Patriots on the North Boulevard Town Square beacon with over 100 photos of men and women who are serving or have served in the military. Patriotic music and movies will also play throughout the day and night in the Square.

West Baton Rouge Parish

4th Fest – The best view anywhere in the Baton Rouge area for 4th of July fireworks on the Mississippi River. Held July 4th in downtown Port Allen at the Riverfront on the Mississippi River Levee. The fun starts annually at 4:00 pm and ends at 10:30 pm. Free to the public and includes face painting, magicians, clowns and space walks for the children. Beverage & food vendors line the levee for all to enjoy. Live entertainment with several local bands allow the crowds plenty of dance music to enjoy before and after the spectacular fireworks show on the river.

West Baton Rouge Parish 4th Fest Fireworks

Walker

Old Fashioned Family Day Celebration: 9:00am to 9:00pm Sidney Hutchinson Park. Come Join the FUN, FOOD, & FESTIVITIES! FREE ADMISSION, FREE EVENTS, FREE RIDES! Don’t forget your lawn chairs, blankets, sunscreen and bug spray!!! No alcohol is permitted in the park.

Walker July4th Flyer_2015

Iberville Parish

15th Annual July 4th Hometown Celebration 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Plaquemine Lock SHS will be open for tours and demonstrations, free admission.  Friends of the Lock will be sponsoring putt-putt boat rides beginning at noon.  The Iberville Museum will also open at noon and admission is free. 3:00-9:00 p.m.  Mouth watering food will be served from the Waterfront Park (please no ice chest, pets or tents).  3:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. Veterans Boat Parade – theme decorated boats are welcome.  6:00 p.m. Dancin’ on the boardwalk until the Firework Display at 9:00 p.m.! Phone: 225-687-3116 Website: www.plaquemine.org 

Plaquemine 4th of July

Pointe Coupee Parish

False River Annual Boat Parade Will Be Held On July 5, 2014 beginning at 1:00 p.m. The 2015 False River Fourth of July Boat Parade Theme will be: “Traveling the USA.” The parade will be on July 4, 2015 and will once again be sponsored by the City of New Roads. For More Information Contact: (225) 638-5360 

JULY 5TH

Baton Rouge

STAR SPANGLED SATURDAY: 8 a.m. to noon, Red Stick Farmers Market, Fifth and Main streets. 
Red Stick Farmers Market will celebrate the 4th of July with locally grown produce, live music and plenty of red, white and blue. The Market will open with a special rendition of the Star Spangled Banner and continue with other patriotic tunes throughout the morning with his jazz trio. Shoppers can find fresh items for holiday barbeques including sweet corn, squash varieties, sausage, shrimp, watermelons, cantaloupes, peaches and blueberries.

St. Mary Parish

Rock the 5th – Morgan City’s Independence Day Celebration. Takes place Sunday,  July 5 from 4 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. at Lawrence Park and the Riverfront.  4 to 5:30 p.m. — Hal Bruni Band 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Band Camp 9 p.m. – – Fireworks over a Atchafalaya River Food and drinks will be accessible for purchase.

Rock the 5th Morgan City Independance Celebration

Happy Fourth of July! We hope you have a fun, safe and beautiful holiday weekend!

Second Choice Outfits – Listen to Your Mother

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I saw the call out for auditions somewhere on Facebook. My desire to tell a story took over and I emailed for a spot. I didn’t tell anyone I was auditioning. If I didn’t get chosen, I couldn’t tell anyone of the rejections. After all, I am not a mom. Who was I too tell Baton Rouge what I know of motherhood? I got the email less than a week later, I had been chosen to read in that show. I was excited, but I don’t think the full extent of what I was participating in had hit me yet. It did on March 21st.

It was a rough day March 21st. I woke up feeling clammy, but today was the day I got to meet 12 other women I got to speak next to in the Baton Rouge Listen To Your Mother production and there were pictures to be taken which meant I had to fix my hair. My hair that hadn’t been washed in 4 days. Dry shampoo wasn’t going to cut it. So I washed and I blow-dryed and I laid my 21 week pregnant exhausted body under my full blast ceiling fan. I couldn’t cool off. I kept moving. I put on the only outfit that I felt like made me look pregnant as opposed to eating too many cheeseburgers. I headed out the door. First stop brunch.

As I sat through brunch I could feel my belly rumbling. I hadn’t been sick all pregnancy. Could this late onset morning sickness? I ate my food and my friend and I left. Next stop rehearsals, except….half a block down I just looked at my friend with a face of desperation and asked her to pull over. My cute outfit, my washed hair was now covered in my brunch. I will spare you the other details. I was heartbroken, these moms were going to meet me in my second choice outfit, with remnants of my own brunch in my hair. I looked in the mirror to see mascara running down my face. No more lipstick to be had. My hair…oh my hair, but I drove downtown. I already didn’t feel like I belonged, but now, A SECOND CHOICE OUTFIT (a second choice outfit at a very swollen 21 weeks is not acceptable in my hormonal brain). Then I sat at a table with 12 other women, 12 other moms.

ltym-br cast

Among the initial thoughts of, “Oh my goodness, do I belong here?” There was also a sense of belonging. I moved to Baton Rouge a year and a half ago and never really felt I found a place. At that table I had my place, it was labeled with my name on it. There was my place at a table of moms. As the introductions went around, I felt the rumble coming again, but I couldn’t leave. These women read their pieces and my heart grew three sizes. Each story I found myself holding on to each and every word, cherishing them. These words were tiny piece of these mothers’ heart and as each story was read, I realized something. This wasn’t just a show about motherhood. This was a show about being a wife. Being a daughter. Being a child. This was a show of gratitude and hope. This was a show of celebration and choosing joy. This was a show that my quasi “not a mother” self found her place in. This was a show for the feminist, the non-feminist. This was a show that summed up the personality of the south I had come to know and love perfectly. This was a show that allowed me to forget that my mascara was gone, my lipstick was lying along Jefferson Highway and my stomach turned with ferociousness that could only mean bad seafood from the night before. I belonged at this table, second choice outfit and all.  

LTYM-BRAs I left that rehearsal, I couldn’t help but be prideful. I get to stand up on a stage on May third and tell Baton Rouge my story of motherhood and I get to do it with the camaraderie of 12 women I had never met before a fateful Saturday of food poisoning and new friendships. To say I am proud is an understatement. Maybe I am not technically a mom, but I do have a story to tell about motherhood, step-motherhood and having a mom. If I belonged at that table, I can assure you, you will find yourself belonging in that theatre as one by one, these ladies share their stories of life.

This is the first year that Listen to Your Mother is coming to Baton Rouge. I hope you will find yourself heading over here and getting a ticket to hear these stories on May 3, 2015 at 2pm. The show will take place at the Manship Theatre in Baton Rouge. The show will benefit Hope House. You can read all about the cast and sponsors on the Listen to Your Mother Baton Rouge website. You can purchase your ticket on Manship Theatre’s website or clicking here.

Sesame Street Live “Let’s Dance!” {Giveaway}

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Hosted by two live performers, Sesame Street Live “Let’s Dance!” offers an up-close, interactive experience like you’ve never experienced before! You, the audience, are invited to dance as all of your favorite Sesame Street friends join you on the floor – dancing with fans of all ages! In addition to ongoing dance parties, Elmo uses his imagination to “Do the Robot,” Cookie Monster teaches all ‘feets’ to dance, and Ernie shares the fun of dance with the Sesame Street favorite “Shake Your Head One Time.”

sesame_street_lets_dance_tickets

Tickets are available at the River Center box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, charge by phone at-1-800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, please contact the Baton Rouge River Center at 225-389-3030.

SESAME STREET LIVE “LET’S DANCE”
FAMILY 4 PACK  GIVEAWAY
PLUS VIP MEET & GREET PASSES
{$120 Value}

Winner will receive 4 Meet & Greet tickets with 4 show tickets. Each adult and child (age 1 and up) in a group must have a show ticket and Meet & Greet ticket. All Meet & Greets start one hour before show time and last 20 minutes. Latecomers may miss the opportunity. Please meet at the Sunny Seats sign in the main lobby. Don’t forget your camera!

Please use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter the giveaway!  To increase your odds, complete the extra entry options on the Rafflecopter and on our Facebook page.

Winner will be randomly chosen and listed here on this post on Saturday March 7th at 9:00pm.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This is a “sponsored post.” The companies who sponsored it compensated BRM via a cash payment, gift, or giveaway. Opinions expressed herein are that of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of the sponsor.

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20 Sweet & Savory King Cake Inspired Treats

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Our stores are overflowing with the goodness of King Cake and this year it seems we can find menagerie of King Cake flavors and styles, including Bouudin! The King Cake has evolved from its humble roots, inspiring a plethora of savory foods, sweets and treats… making this the ultimate Mardi Gras food! Below we are featuring our favorites from Mardi Gras 2015!

king cake parfait

The King Cake parfait can be found at Dessert Lounge. (Photo: Indulge Desserts)

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If the above doesn’t have your mouth watering or at least feeling a virtual sugar rush…nothing will! Enjoy the last days of the Mardi Gras season and go get you some King Cake before it’s too late!

Here is a Baton Rouge King Cake Guide: Interact with a video map to find your Mardi Gras fix!

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

BatonRougeCuisine

Giggles Baton Rouge – Love – Gift – Giggle – Giveaway

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Coming soon to Baton Rouge, Giggles is a specialty toy and treat store that offers unique, high quality gifts for babies, toddlers and tweens (and everything in between!) So much more than visiting a store, visiting Giggles is an experience for kids and kids at heart. Giggles is opening its doors this summer and will be located at the Settlement at Willow Grove.

Giggles is also passionate about providing high-quality, fun and educational classes for children. In addition to candy, unique toys and Pinterest worthy party supplies, they also hope to offer painting, storytelling, kids yoga, cookies, canvas and more! 

Giggles will not only tempt your taste buds but it will also be a treat for the eyes! Do you like gummy bears? How about 15,000 of them, molded in hi-gloss acrylic? Giggles will light up the store with a, one-of-a-kind masterpiece, Candelier.

Giggles Baton Rouge

Candy
The candy section of the store will be as sweet as it gets! Their unique candy wall will be a rainbow of bulk candy treats. In addition to “pick and mix” candies they will offer packaged candies including chocolates, sours, jelly beans, caramels, lollipops, hard candies and much more! 
Party
Everyone today wants to have a “Pinterest” party! Although sifting through Pinterest to find the trendiest theme for your little one is at the click of a button, it can be difficult to find the perfect party goods to make everything come together. Giggles will offer a select variety of specialty party goods so that you can host the perfect party! 
Toys
Giggles will offer great gifts and toys organized by age and stage (baby – tween). And did we mention they will offer FREE gift wrap? They will!

The anticipation for Giggles’ opening is growing and the kids are already drooling!

Be sure to follow Giggles on Facebook as they are adding updates on the store as well as great information and resources on parenting, children’s activities and local news! 

Giveaway time!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This is a “sponsored post.” The companies who sponsored it compensated BRM via a cash payment, gift, or giveaway. Opinions expressed herein are that of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of the sponsor.

Pretend Play Party One Year Membership Giveaway

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Are you familiar with Pretend Play Party? Let us introduce you!

Pretend Play Party

Parents of young children are always asking around about fun places to take young children to play in Baton Rouge. Many parents have heard about Pretend Play Party in Denham Springs, but many of them have never taken their kids to play there.

Pretend Play Party is a  Play Center and Birthday Party Facility near Baton Rouge, a one-of-a-kind playroom for little ones, with over 20 imaginative play stations.

Right when you walk in the doors you can see why children love to play in such an inviting space.

In December 2013, Pretend Play Party was going to close down; parents and grandparents who knew about Pretend Play’s closure were devastated.

When Pretend Play announced new ownership in January 2014, customers were beyond excited to see the many improvements that have been made since the purchase of this small business. But Pretend Play may not be able to keep its doors open without the news of this magical place continuing to spread.

So, to help get the word out, Pretend Play Party is GIVING AWAY a one-year membership!

Safe, clean, and stimulating play centers are hard to come by; especially ones that provide such a perfect atmosphere for play dates.

The castle is a multi-purpose space where children build, climb, slide, and imagine that they are royalty.

If you have heard about Pretend Play but you still aren’t quite sure what you would get out of it, take a look at the PHOTOS and descriptions of each play station: HERE!

And if you book a birthday party at Pretend Play Party, you can have every detail of the party taken care of for you (and you can still be proud of it!).

Pretend Play Party One Year Membership Giveaway

Pretend Play Party

Please use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter the giveaway!  To increase your odds, complete the extra entry options on the Rafflecopter and on each days giveaway on our Facebook page.

Winner will be randomly chosen and listed here on this post on Friday January 9th at 9:00pm.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Visit Pretend Play Party or get more information today!
 
738 S. Range Ave.      
Denham Springs, La
225-664-PLAY{7529}