Louisiana Archives - Baton Rouge Moms

Best Baton Rouge King Cake 2018 – voted by YOU!

January 26, 2018 by Baton Rouge Moms

It’s good to be a Louisianan! We took our third annual king cake poll to find out what YOU choose as this year’s BEST King Cake and the results are in! King Cake may be the demise of many New Year’s resolutions, but how can we resist this buttery danish pastry, sweetened with dusted sugar, icing and a plethora of flavored fillings? We can’t! Here are the best Baton Rouge king cakes according to YOU, Baton Rouge moms! Enjoy this trail of delicious king cakes, try them all to decide the best for yourself.

Best Baton Rouge King Cake – 2018

Thee Heavenly Donut – For the SECOND year in a row, Thee Heavenly Donut takes the prize of BEST King Cake according to Baton Rouge moms!! Home of the BOUDIN kingcake and Pecan praline, Banana Foster, Turtle, LA Cajun Mud, Strawberry and famous Fried King Cakes! Thee Heavenly Donut’s mission is to offer the Best, Freshest (made daily), Handmade Donuts, Kolaches, King Cakes, Cupcakes and Specialty Cakes– all year round. Owners Kara and Shane Castille have a passion for Great Customer Service and treating their customers like family. Their products are like no other in the greater Baton Rouge area and truly believe in the quality and deliciousness of these products.
BONUS: Thee Heavenly Donut also has King Cake donuts!!
Oak Point Fresh Market –Home of the Chantilly king cake and the Oreo Cream king cake, Oak Point Fresh Market is a family owned and operated full-service supermarket. They offer a wide variety of King Cakes baked fresh daily! Flavors include banana, Bavarian cream, Orange Dreamsicle, Pecan Praline and many more!
Ralph’s Market -A locally owned business, Ralph’s Market offers a large selection of fresh, high-quality products that includes many grown right here in Louisiana! Also voted Best King Cake in Ascension with over 50 flavors of king cakes!!
Calandro’s King Cake– With over 50 flavors, you’re sure to find the perfect King Cake at Calandro’s, learn more in the video below! Also 4th but not in Baton Rouge… Randazzo’s King Cake!
Ambrosia – There are many options when it comes to The Ambrosia King Cake! The Traditional King Cake (shown here for an “In-Store Pickup”) has cinnamon and sugar inside of our family secret King Cake dough. Purchase a “Mardi Gras King Cake Kit” and take your King Cake home for the kids to decorate and have a Mardi Gras Party!

Honorable Mention:

Rouses – Rouses oval-shaped king cakes are made with their exclusive gourmet cinnamon dough, iced, and sprinkled with decorative sugars in the carnival colors of purple (for justice), green (for faith), and gold (for power). Your choice of traditional or one of their tasty fillings.

Baton Rouge King Cakes

More Baton Rouge Area locations to get your king cake fix:

Baums – www.baumspastries.com
Blue Rose Cafe – www.thebluerosebr.com
Gambino’s Bakery – www.gambinos.com
Harvest Market in Prairieville – www.harvestsupermarket.com/
Les Amis Bakery Shoppe – www.lesamisbakeshoppe.com
Tiger Deaux-nuts – www.tigerdeaux-nuts.com

2017 Baton Rouge Holiday & Christmas Events Guide – Sponsored by Associates in Pediatric Dentistry

November 1, 2017 by Baton Rouge Moms

Our Baton Rouge Holiday & Christmas Events Guide is our largest guide to date with over 50 events. This list will be updated daily as we learn of new events being hosted in our area. We’re sharing events within a 60 mile radius of Baton Rouge. Whether you’re looking for a Christmas parade, holiday-themed performance, Santa visit, or lights display, there’s the cornucopia of holiday-themed programs and events throughout the season. Be sure to grab for our FREE Christmas Events List Printable so you don’t miss an event! If you have an event or activity to add, please email us – info@BatonRougeMoms.com

Thanks to Associates in Pediatric Dentistry for sponsoring this year’s Holiday Events Guide.

2017 Baton Rouge Holiday & Christmas Events Guide

Mistletoe Market of Baton Rouge
Saturday, November 11th 9-5
Sunday, November 12th 10-5
Belle of Baton Rouge

Catch up on holiday shopping while taking the kids to the Kids Zone at Mistletoe Market!! With over 120 merchants, you can shop locally in a fun and friendly environment, strollers welcome. Photo ops with Santa, Princesses, activities for kids, face painting fun and more!

Princesses Meet & Greet from Be Our Guest, plus an Island Tea Party!!

Join Mistletoe Market and Be Our Guest for An Island Tea Party with the Island Princess, The Snow Sisters and The Tinker Fairy.
Tickets are 25.00 per person and it includes a ticket to shop at Mistletoe Market.

LSU Holiday Spectacular

Tuesday, November 28th, with festivities beginning at 4:30 p.m. in the LSU Student Union.

Join LSU for a spectacularly fun night of holiday entertainment for LSU students, faculty, staff, families, and community members. Celebrate the spirit of the season with this seven-hour, festival lineup of activities on Tuesday, November 28

The 2017 schedule is in progress, but here’s a sampling of 2016 events:

Christmas Tree Sale
November 28-29
Corner of Highland Road and Nicholson Extension
Hosted by the Society of American Foresters Student Chapter at LSU

Season’s Readings Book Sale
4:30-6:30 p.m. | The Club at Union Square, Highland Road at Raphael Semmes Road
Hosted by LSU Press and the Southern Review

Holiday Performances
5 p.m. | LSU Student Union Theater
Hosted by LSU Campus Life
Featuring performances from LSU students, faculty & community organizations.

Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration
5:30 p.m. | LSU African American Cultural Center
Hosted by LSU Office of Diversity, the Office Multicultural Affairs, and the African American Cultural Center
Celebrate the origin and traditions of Kwanzaa.

LSU Christmas Tree Lighting
7 p.m. | Free Speech Circle
Hosted by LSU Campus Life

Season’s Readings, Holiday Performances, and the LSU Christmas Tree Lighting are free and open to LSU students, faculty, staff, and the Baton Rouge community. Tickets are not required.

Cortana Kiwanis Christmas Parade

DECEMBER 9th @ 5:30 pm- Find Parade Map HERE.

The 66th Annual Cortana Kiwanis Downtown Christmas Parade will roll through Downtown Baton Rouge December 9 at 5:30 pm. Every year, more than 70,000 people watch the parade live and thousands more enjoy it on television through the holiday season. The Parade is a celebration and a great way to connect with the community. The parade is open to everyone. Typically the parade includes about 80 entries. These entries are a mix of marching bands, celebrities, dance troups, non-profit organizations, and local businesses in seasonal themes.

ZooLights 2017

November 24 – December 30
Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas
Gates open 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Zoo grounds close at 9 p.m.

A mile-long trail through the Zoo
More than 50 illuminated display sculptures of animals and traditional holiday displays
A festive family activity, adding to the quality of life for residents throughout the region
The beginning of a new tradition

SPECIAL DATES:

11/24 – Coca Cola Santa Visit
11/25 – Ornament Crafting
12/1 and 12/2 – Safari Santa
12/8 and 12/9 – Art Gone Wild
12/15 and 12/16 – Safari Santa
12/22 and 12/23 – Ornament Crafting
12/23 – Ugandan Kids Choir performances at 6 pm and 6:45 pm

LIGHTED DISPLAYS WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
ILLUMINATED SCULPTURES: Visitors will find illuminated sculptures representing animals and traditional symbols of the holidays.
GIANT SPECTACULARS: Larger-than-life displays capture the imagination of children of all ages. These displays may include: Flamingos, Giraffes, Lions, Tigers, Gorillas, Rhinos, Elephants, Alligators, Giant Santa, Giant Snowmen, Holiday Trains, Santa in Sleigh pulled by Giant Reindeer and Toy Soldiers. Displays can be up to 30 ft. tall!
ANIMATED SPECTACULARS: Animated displays add additional entertainment value to our event. The use of high-wattage, computer-controlled displays will provide exciting animation to displays.
VISITOR AMENITIES: Safari Photo Booth Seasonal Specials from the Flamingo Cafe Safari Post Gift Shop

A Rural Life Christmas

Sunday, December 3, 2017
12:30pm until 6:00pm

Ring in the Christmas season with a 19th century Louisiana celebration. Musical groups, demonstrating artisans, storytellers and costumed re-enactors set the holiday spirit. The day concludes with a bonfire and visit from Papa Noel.

Admission: $10.00 per person with children ages 10 and younger admitted at no charge.

Holiday Skating on the River

Tickets – $12.00

The Raising Cane’s River Center will once again magically transform the arena into a “Winter Wonderland” just in time for you to create your holiday memories. The Raising Cane’s River Center presents Ice Skating on the River, a holiday tradition, which will kick off the ice skating season on Friday, December 16, 2017, with an Opening Night session sponsored by WAFB. For one night only, the Coca-Cola Santa Truck will be at the Baton Rouge River Center, spreading the joy of the season. If you’d like the opportunity to spread the joy of the season, the Raising Cane’s River Center will be accepting unwrapped gifts, during opening weekend, for the National Guard’s Christmas Angel program, benefiting local families in need. Party Packages and Group Rates available! Call 225-389-3030.

Sessions: 9:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm,5:30pm, 7:30pm

Festival of Lights at Far-Out First Friday

Friday, December 2, 2016 at 5:00pm – 9:00pm

Two popular events intertwine for a special holiday Far-Out First Friday combined with the annual Festival of Light’s activities – all rolled into one exciting night! Join an evening under downtown’s historic oaks to commemorate Baton Rouge’s oldest holiday tradition. Transforming the winter sky into a wonderland, the Mayor will light North Boulevard with half a million sparkling lights. Experience the magic beneath the 35-foot Christmas tree in Town Square. Bethlehem Village with a real-life village set in Biblical times where children can craft ornaments and decorations, plus a magical train ride on the Mansion Express at the Old Governor’s Mansion. Visit Santa’s Gift Shoppe and listen to holiday music during an evening of visual, culinary, and performing arts.

HOLIDAY FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS: CAJUN NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

LASM Holiday Events

Friday, December 2, 2016 at 5:00pm – 9:00pm

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS AT THE LASM
Your Downtown Festival of Lights experience isn’t complete without a trip to the Art & Science Museum! Experience a special showing of Let It Snow: A Holiday Music Journey in the planetarium, and get creative at our hands-on Holiday Ornament Workshop where you can create fun and fanciful crafts that are yours to keep. Admission is free with the donation of one new toy per person that benefits Toys for Tots; otherwise, regular admission prices apply. Toys may be purchased in The Museum Store. For more information or admission prices call 344-5272 or visit www.lasm.org.

HOLIDAY FIRST SUNDAY

Spend some time with your friends or family at this special Holiday First Sunday at the Art & Science Museum! Free admission to the galleries, $6 reduced admission to planetarium shows, and a visit with Santa Claus will make this a fun and unique day out for all ages. For more information or admission prices call 344-5272 or visit www.lasm.org. December program sponsored by Baton Rouge Coca-Cola

THE POLAR EXPRESS

All aboard The Polar Express! Bring your family to experience this beloved holiday movie in the planetarium theater every Saturday, November 25-December 16. Enjoy complimentary hot cocoa before each show beginning at 2:15 PM, and after the show, visitors can pick up their very own sleigh bells to take home.

The Nutcracker: A Tale from the Bayou

DECEMBER 16TH AND 17TH, 2 PM AND 6 PM

The Nutcracker – A Tale from the Bayou, created by Molly Buchmann and Sharon Mathews in 1992, has become one of the most highly-anticipated events of the holiday season. Accompanied by the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, the production incorporates local landmarks while maintaining the grandeur and integrity of the classic ballet. This lavish production continues to thrill children and adults alike, and snow is always guaranteed!

Jingle ARRGH the Way!

A “How I Became a Pirate” Christmas Adventure
December 8 – 17, 2017

The “How I Became a Pirate” crew is back! A mysterious message left in the crow’s nest of their ship brings Captain Braid Beard and his pirate mates back to North Beach to seek out young Jeremy Jacob to help solve a riddle and find the Christmas treasure. Favorite characters, a rollicking story, great songs, and a trip to the North Pole to find “you know who” – makes “Jingle ARRGH the Way!” a wonderful holiday show for the whole family. Based on a story by Melinda Long, author of “How I Became a Pirate.”
Whether a fan of the original “How I Became a Pirate” musical or taking a trip across the seas with the pirate crew for the first time, you’re guaranteed to have a swashbucklingly good time!

The Living Nativity

The 7th Annual Drive Through Live Nativity takes place on the parking lot of FBBC. They will be having a living nativity Dec 15-16. The theme is “Unconditional Love” and it will be a sit down performance. After each performance, you are invited to fellowship with the cast and crew in the Family Activity Center where we will be having hot chocolate.

Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra

This year’s holiday BRSO events will include:

Home for the Holidays December 1st @ 7:30 pm – The Holiday Season would not be complete without the Family Pops annual Home for the Holidays concert! Join Maestro Muffitt as he leads this spectacular cast of hundreds featuring our very own Baton Rouge Symphony Chorus, and numerous guest performers and musical groups from across our city. Join us in a musical celebration of community and the spirit of the season.
Holiday Brass in Central December 6 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm at Greenwell Springs Baptist Church 19421 Greenwell Springs Rd. The BRSO is excited to reach out to the communities of Central, Zachary and Denham for our performance of Holiday Brass, Percussion and Harp. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the season as Associate Conductor David Torns and the BRSO visit Greenwell Springs Baptist Church to perform all of your cherished holiday favorites.
Lamar Holiday Brass December 8th @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm This concert is an experience truly unique to the community of Baton Rouge. St. Joseph Cathedral is a breath-taking setting for this cherished family tradition of the Lamar Holiday Brass concert. The sounds of The BRSO Brass and Percussion are joined by organist Robbie Giroir, and a special appearance by the Baton Rouge Magnet High School Festival Singers. In addition, the BRSO welcomes Stephanie Gustafson on the harp as a featured soloist. Don’t wait to purchase your tickets as this concert sells out quickly!

Holiday Brass – Houmas House Plantation – Holiday Brass at Houmas House Plantation and Gardens – Sunday, December 10, 2017 | 4:30pm
Houmas House Plantation and Gardens serves as the magnificent holiday back-drop for this family event. The decorations and festivities are abundant during the Christmas Season in this historic setting. Arrive early and stroll through the gardens, and make a dinner reservation for after the concert. Join Associate Conductor David Torns and the BRSO Brass, Percussion and Harp as they perform all of your holiday favorites.

Manship Theatre Holiday Events

Mooseltoe the Moosical – $20 Fee

Kids Club Pre-Party Sunday, December 3rd, 2017 12:30 PM

Sunday, December 3rd, 2017 2:00 PM

Sunday, December 3rd, 2017 6:00 PM

MOOSELTOE, the Moose with a Dream, and his friends come to life in this colorful, magical and whimsical musical tale. Follow our hero as he pursues his seemingly impossible dream while learning many valuable lessons along the way – lessons which are important for us all. Al Roker narrates the story while celebrities from Broadway, TV, and the movies provide the voices of MOOSELTOE and his friends in this charming production.

Michael McDowell’s Christmas Spectacular Friday, December 15, 8pm

Join Michael McDowell for the most unique fixture of Baton Rouge’s holiday season: his third annual Christmas Spectacular! Known for ferociously improvised numbers on the keyboard, McDowell has carved out a distinctive niche in the Baton Rouge music scene as one of the most unique concert pianists performing today. His 2017 Christmas Spectacular will be a departure from the typical red-carpeted, orchestral event- improvising on some of his favorite holiday tunes, McDowell will take to the stage alone with just a piano, creating an intimate setting for his favorite musical season. Not even he knows what will come next in this adrenaline-fueled, off the cuff evening of music performed in spectacular fashion!

BREC Holiday Events

Gingerbread House Decorating: Friday, Nov 10, 2017 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Highland Road Community Park
Have an evening of family fun that can be shared over and over again throughout the holiday. Create a gingerbread masterpiece with lots of graham crackers, icing and candy trims. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Reindeer Ride Downtown Celebration: Saturday, Dec 02, 2017 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Skip Bertman Drive Trailhead – 8 & older
Welcome the holiday season with a unique nighttime family bike ride up the levy from Skip Bertman Drive to downtown Baton Rouge to be a part of Baton Rouge’s Downtown Christmas Lighting Celebration. Participants will leave the levy trail head and join in a colorful bike parade through the downtown area, participate in the many fun evening activities and return together.

Caroling in the Park: Friday, Dec 08, 2017 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
City-Brooks Community Park
Mark your calendars for BREC’s annual Caroling in City Park featuring a park lighting ceremony, candlelight caroling and a host of other family activities for all ages to enjoy.

Creole Christmas: Sunday, Dec 10, 2017 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Magnolia Mound Plantation
Creole Christmas is an annual event featuring seasonal decorations in the historic house, traditional songs in French and Spanish sung by local school children, period demonstrations, folk crafts and the annual bonfire to welcome Papa Noel.

Christmas at Blue Bayou—Drive Thru Light Show

November 24, 2017 – January 7
Come start a new family tradition and drive-thru over a mile of custom lights synchronized to music for you to listen to through your own car radio! Tickets are sold at the gate with cash, credit card and debit card for $28.00 (tax included) per car (up to 8 passengers).

Kansas City Southern Holiday Express TrainKCS Holiday Express will be making stops throughout Louisiana. Meet Santa and receive a holiday treat bag! For more information, download the Kansas City Southern Holiday Express Train app from the iTunes store.

At each scheduled stop, The KCS Charitable Fund makes a contribution of gift cards to the local Salvation Army to provide warm clothing and other necessities for children in need. Over the past 11 years, thanks to the generous contributions of KCS’ employees, vendors and friends, the Holiday Express has donated over $1 million in gift cards to this cause.

28-Nov 4 p.m. DeRidder LA 100 North Washington Street
29-Nov 4 p.m. Many LA 750 West Georgia Avenue
30-Nov 4 p.m. Mansfield LA 1004 Polk Street
1-Dec 4 p.m. Shreveport LA KCS Yard, 4500 North Lake Shore Drive, Gate 5
2-Dec 4 p.m. Gonzales LA Felix Avenue
3-Dec 4 p.m. Baton Rouge LA KCS Yard, 1401 Foss Street
4-Dec 4 p.m. Pineville LA 901 Melrose Street
5-Dec 4 p.m. Coushatta LA Front Street

Reflections of the Season – West Baton Rouge

Get into the Holiday Spirit at the Reflections of the Season Christmas Light Display.

PLEASE NOTE PRICE CHANGE HAS BEEN MADE FOR ADMISSION INTO THIS EVENT!! $5.00 per Car & Passenger Vans or Buses $1 per person This walk or drive through display is open to the public from December 7th – 23rd. Thursdays through Sundays.

Drive through the grounds of the West Baton Rouge Conference Center and view the spectacular lights. Take advantage of the FREE shuttle service as there is no parking available on the grounds of the WBR Conference Center during this event; Parking will be at Louis Mouch Multipurpose arena located at 152 Turner Road. You must obtain a wrist band at the entrance gate to participate in all the activities. Come inside the conference center to visit the talking reindeer. Walk through the holiday decorated rooms. Enjoy carnival rides for the children or buy those last minute gifts from our crafters. Santa will be here on Friday and Saturday nights only. Take your holiday pictures with Santa and his elves.

Dec. 9th & 15th will be ice fishing for $5.00 per person. On Dec. 16th is snow night for $5.00 per person. Kids Craft Night will also be Dec. 17th.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING PRICE & DATE CHANGE FOR HORSE & BUGGY…

HORSE & BUGGY RIDES HERE DEC. 14TH – 17TH & 21ST – 23RD by Pegasus Carriage Company. Cuddle up in a blanket next to your friends and loved ones and take a ride through the lights in a horse drawn wagon for $5.00 per person. Bring your family and friends and make West Baton Rouge and “Reflections of the Season” part of your Christmas tradition.

Holiday Events Beyond Baton Rouge

Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland!

Lamar Dixon Expo Center – A 1.5 mile drive-through LED Christmas show that is a combination of synchronized elements that move with music being transmitted through your car stereo & large animated displays. There are thousands channels simultaneously directing this orchestra of lights. Using the most technologically advanced equipment in the industry, Christmas Wonderland magically expresses what Christmas means to us. Our hope is for this show to spark a smile on your face like it does ours.

Spreading Christmas cheer is our prime motivation and in doing so, we find great importance in giving back to our local community. This year our show is in six different locations. Within those cities, Christmas Wonderland supports numerous charitable non-profit organizations. Please visit the “locations” tab to see our current partners at each location.
Open dusk till 10pm Monday-Thursday and dusk till 11pm Friday-Sunday
For more information, visit shadrackchristmas.com
To watch videos of this event, visit http://shadrackchristmas.com/videos

Nottaway’s Christmas Tree Lighting Festival – White Castle

Celebrate the holiday season with Nottaway! Their annual Bonfire & Christmas Festival has music, food, bonfires, fireworks, Santa and much more! New this year are our Christmas Marketplace Days (on select dates). And, of course, on Christmas Eve we’ll have our fabulous annual buffet.

Iberville Parish Bonfire Christmas Festival: Saturday, Dec. 9
Christmas Marketplace Days: December 9, 12 & 23
Christmas Eve Buffet: December 24

BONFIRES ON THE LEVEE / TREE LIGHTING

Christmas Marketplace Nights

NEW! On the 3 different December nights when the American Queen docks here at Nottoway, we will hold our Christmas Marketplace! Come enjoy a night of shopping and fantastic sights!

Marketplace Dates: Dec. 9 | Dec. 12 | Dec. 23
Time: 2 – 8 pm
Vendors selling arts, crafts & holiday merchandise
Bonfires on the Levee
Fireworks
Open to the public at no charge

Oak Alley Plantation’s 43rd Annual Christmas Bonfire Party

TBA

Celebrate the Christmas Season in one of the southland’s most beautiful settings. The mansion will be dressed in fresh fruit, greenery and seasonal floral arrangements, reminiscent of Creole Christmases past. Delicious Cajun/Creole buffet, open bar, lively dance band, and plenty of good cheer combine to heighten the holiday spirit throughout the famous alley of oaks and the lovely antebellum mansion.

Celebration In The Oaks- New Orleans

The 2017 season:
November 24, 2017 – January 1, 2018
Closed November 27, 28, 29, 30
Closed Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve
Monday – Thursday : 6pm -10pm
Friday: 6pm -11pm
Saturday: 5pm – 11pm
Sunday: 5pm – 10pm

Celebration in the Oaks in City Park is one of the most spectacular holiday lights festivals in the country. This beloved annual celebration is fun for all ages and has become an enduring holiday tradition for families, who come to Celebration in the Oaks to ride the train or carousel every year. Visitors are treated to a wide range of attractions, from light displays to the walkways lined with dozens of Christmas trees decorated by local school groups. Perennial favorites include the two-mile train ride through glittering light exhibits, the animated Cajun night before Christmas display, and of course, New Orleans’ iconic snowman Mr. Bingle.

Family Preview Party – New Orleans

November 19th, 2017 – Kids get the royal holiday treatment at their own Celebration in the Oaks Preview Party and – bonus! – mom and dad can enjoy this family experience without lifting a finger. Your little ones will feel like the kings and queens of the ball at this fun-filled party.

And special this year at the Celebration in the Oaks Family Party – we’ll have the characters from FROZEN! That’s right, Princess Anna, Queen Elsa, Kristoff and the lovable Olaf. They’ll be walking around and will be ready to take photos with the kids (and those who are kids at heart, too). Don’t forget your camera.

Krewe of Jingle Parade & More! – New Orleans – TBA

New Orleans’ official holiday parade, the “Krewe of Jingle,” will once again delight locals and visitors alike with authentic parade floats, marching bands, stilt walkers, Christmas characters and many more magical surprises!

Canal Street Lighting Ceremony

Tuesday, November 22 | 5:00 – 7:00pm Astor Crowne Plaza 739 Canal Street. St.

A Civil War Christmas- – St. Francisville

December 3rd 6-8pm

Visitors will see a recreation of the sights and sounds of St. Francisville in 1864 during the American Civil War. Throughout the day walk through the soldiers camps and see Living History demonstrations of soldier life. You will hear black powder weapon demonstrations of both rifle and cannons. Each day will feature a small reenactment of the October 1864 Battle Oakley Plantation which happened across the grounds of the park. On Saturday night the plantation comes to life during the Holidays as it shows off its seasonal decorations. Costumed guides accompany the visitor in a trip into the past through the candlelit Oakley House. See the glow of the blacksmith at work, take a taste of what’s cooking in the kitchen, or just enjoy the live period music. Included is our yearly Christmas dance and hot Christmas Punch. The program is free to all paying the park admission fee. For more information please contact Audubon State Historic Site in St. Francisville, La. at 1-225-635-3739.

Christmas in the Country St. Francisville

December 1, 2, & 3
Nothing says Christmas to an excited child more than a parade, especially a safe small-town one like St. Francisville’s popular Christmas in the Country parade the first Saturday each December, complete with marching bands and decorated floats, Santa resplendent in his sleigh. Millions of tiny white lights trace soaring Victorian trimwork and grace gallery posts to transform the entire town into a veritable winter wonderland for Christmas in the Country, as special activities throughout the extensive National Register-listed downtown Historic District provide fun for the whole family at this celebration of the season, a joyful alternative to mall madness. View the full schedule of events here.

Christmas in the Village – Zachary

Christmas in the Village

Come out to the annual Christmas In The Village in the Zachary Historical District! Meet the Marvel Super Hero’s, and of course a visit from Santa! The gourmet food trucks will be on hand for dinner options. Enjoy music and entertainment from area dance groups and shop at the local arts and crafts market. The Red Barn Farm visiting petting zoo will be there also. Don’t miss the official lighting of the Christmas lights by Mayor Amrhein.

30th Annual Zachary Christmas Parade

Main Street, Zachary – December 2nd 10:00am Celebrate the sights and sounds of Christmas in Zachary. Enjoy this annual parade in the heart of town.

Denham Springs Christmas Parade – TBA

Denham Springs Christmas Parade – Parade begins at Denham Springs High School and travels down Range Ave. through the Antique District turning right onto Florida Blvd. and ending at Veterans Blvd.

Christmas in Central Square – TBA

Central is celebrating Christmas bigger and better than ever! Join us on December 3rd for a family Christmas celebration you won’t forget! Festivities include: fireworks, train rides, live nativity, horse and carriage rides, live music, inflatables, gaga pit, carousel and s’mores. Even Santa Clause will be there! We can’t wait to see you at Christmas in Central Square!

Noel Acadien au Village – Lafayette

December 1-23, 2017 5:30-9:00 pm Nightly (weather permitting)

HALF A MILLION LIGHTS ~ NEW ANIMATED DISPLAYS ~ CARNIVAL RIDES PHOTOS WITH SANTA ~ LIVE NIGHTLY ENTERTAINMENT LOCAL CUISINE ~ HOLIDAY SHOPPING – VIP Parking Available
For more information, click on the drop-down menu on the Noel Acadien au Village tab.
LARC’s Acadian Village hosts its 23 night Christmas festival fundraiser annually in December to benefit LARC, a local 501c(3) non-profit organization benefiting persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Noel Acadien au Village features half-a-million lights, including the fully lit Chapel, new displays for our Acadian home porches, lighted holiday displays, live entertainment, carnival rides, local cuisine, photos with Santa, holiday shopping in the Christmas Store and much more!

25th Festival of the Bonfires – St. James Parish

December 8, 9, 10, 2017
Lutcher Park
2545 Louisiana Avenue
Lutcher, LA

CHRISTMAS ON THE RIVER…CAJUN STYLE! Enjoy great food, live entertainment, crafts, Santa’s Very Merry Forest and carnival rides throughout the weekend. Each night will be highlighted with a single bonfire lighting! Come out and experience a prelude to the famous Christmas Eve Bonfires: A tradition unique to St. James Parish and all the world!!

Christmas Past Festival: Old Mandeville

Christmas Past Festival 12/9/17, 9 AM-3 PM in Old Mandeville.

The Christmas Past street festival is packed with over 40 vendors lining Girod Street. The festival will extend from near the Mandeville Trailhead complex and continue down to the lakefront. Keeping with an international season theme, each block will highlight a different region: Germany, England, France, Louisiana, and America. For maps and the program of events, please visit their Christmas Past Festival Facebook Page.

Christmas Under the Stars – Slidell – TBA

The City of Slidell celebrates the holiday season with Christmas Under the Stars, an annual celebration of twinkling lights, festive decorations, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, the Parade of Trees, the life-size Christmas Cottages, Slidell’s Nativity, Christmas songs, and much more.

Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights

This would be another option for a day trip and lots of driving along with lots of memories made.

The Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights has existed for nearly 30 years to enhance the holiday experiences for locals, visitors and group tours. The trail spans I-20 and I-49 in north Louisiana and incorporates Shreveport-Bossier, Minden, Monroe-West Monroe, Natchitoches, and Alexandria/Pineville.

Festivities generally start in mid-November and run through the New Year. Some of the popular and recurring events include shopping/dining/entertainment at the Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets in Shreveport-Bossier, Fasching Festival in Minden, shopping and dining in Antique Alley in Monroe-West Monroe, Festival of Lights in Natchitoches and the Christmas parades in Alexandria/Pineville.

The Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights can be experienced in one day or a week with each day totally unique and special. The cities are all within driving distance of one another, making the tour a convenient hour-long trip from any one city to its neighboring city. Visitors are encouraged to see the brilliant lights, dine at the local restaurants, dance at the festivals, shop, and play in all of the eight festive cities.

See a full list of featured events—> https://www.holidaytrailoflights.com/

Facebook Holiday Events Guide

This is a comprehensive round-up of Family Friendly Baton Rouge Holiday & Christmas Events to make it easy for Baton Rouge families to find things to do this Christmas season, we hope you enjoy it! Be sure to click “GOING” on the Event Page to receive updates on Baton Rouge area holiday events and activities! We will update the list daily and welcome the community to list events as well!

There will be many fun events that you won’t want to miss taking place, we’ve created a fun Christmas Events List printable for you to print and fill out so you don’t miss a thing!
Baton Rouge Moms Printable

FIND US ON FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM for more community info, activities and events!

Thanks to Associates in Pediatric Dentistry for sponsoring the Holiday Events Guide.

Chicken Salad Chick To Open Denham Springs Location

September 27, 2017 by Baton Rouge Moms

Have you heard the news??? Chicken Salad Chick, the nation’s only southern inspired, fast-casual chicken salad restaurant concept, will be expanding in Denham Springs! We have heard nothing but great things about Chicken Salad Chick and we are thrilled that they will be opening at Juban Crossing in Denham Springs on October 4th!! Not only do we have an awesome giveaway for you but we will be inviting 100 moms to the soft opening next week to try Chicken Salad Chick for themselves!! Keep reading…

The Chicken Salad Chick concept, born in Auburn, Ala., was established in 2008 in the kitchen of founder, Stacy Brown. When Stacy discovered that the local county health department would not allow her to continue making and selling her delicious recipes out of her home kitchen, she overcame that obstacle by launching her first restaurant with the business expertise of her future husband and fellow founder, Kevin Brown. Together, they opened a small takeout restaurant, which quickly grew; the company now has more than 65 restaurants across the Southeast.

Grand Opening Festivities

GRAND OPENING – 10/4: The First 100 Guests receive FREE CHICKEN SALAD CHICK FOR A YEAR! The first guest receives a Large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week, the next 99 receive a Large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month!

During grand opening week, guests will enjoy southern hospitality through giveaways and specials at the new restaurant.

*Must make a Chick purchase to receive reward
*Must be 16 years of age
*Must Download Craving Credits App
*Redemption will start 10/9

THURSDAY – 10/5: Thirsty Thursday! Our First 100 Guests to purchase a Chick Special receive a Free Large Drink and a Chick Koozie!

FRIDAY – 10/6: Our First 50 Guests to purchase two Large Quick Chicks receive a Free Large Chick Cooler!

SATURDAY – 10/7: Our First 100 Guests to purchase a Chick Special receive a Free Scoop Card for their next Chick visit!

Be sure to RSVP to their event page on Facebook here!!

About Chicken Salad Chick

Chicken Salad Chick puts an edgy twist on a Southern classic, offering guests a “custom fit” chicken salad experience, with over a dozen original flavors to choose from, as well as gourmet soups, flavorful side salads and freshly-baked desserts. Chicken Salad Chick serves southern style chicken salad with heart and strives to spread joy, enrich lives and serve others every day. Today, the brand has more than 65 locations across the Southeast and has currently sold 146 franchises to be developed across the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana and Texas. Visit www.chickensaladchick.com to learn more!

Chicken Salad Chick Giveaway!!! (Ended)

We have partnered with Chicken Salad Chick to give away a large Chicken Salad Chick cooler with a large quick chick of chicken salad, crackers, chips, koozie and a tumbler.

But that’s not all!! Enter on the Rafflecopter Giveaway Widget below with an email and share our Facebook giveaway on Facebook http://bit.ly/BRmomsFBGiveaway and you could be 1 of 100 moms to receive an invite to try Chicken Salad Chick at their soft opening next week! We will email winners Friday!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Mark your calendars for a whole week of awesome giveaways to celebrate the newest Chick in town! Denham Springs Chick opens October 4th – see Y’all there!

Louisiana Tax Free Weekend Shopping

August 1, 2017 by Baton Rouge Moms

Baton Rouge moms, it’s almost time for the 2017 Louisiana Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday. This year, the “Annual Louisiana Sales Tax Holidays Act” provides an exemption from state sales tax on the first $2,500 of the purchase price of most individual items of tangible personal property for nonbusiness use on the first consecutive Friday and Saturday of August.

Here’s what you need to know before you go shopping, according to the Louisiana Department of Revenue.

2017 Louisiana Back to School Sales Tax Holiday Weekend

The 2017 holiday begins on Friday, August 4, 2017, at 12:01 a.m. and ends at midnight on Saturday, August 5, 2017.

Purchases Eligible for Exemption

The exemption applies statewide to all consumer purchases of tangible personal property, other than vehicles subject to license and title and meals furnished for consumption on the premises where purchased, including to-go orders, provided that the property is not for use in a business, trade, or profession.

What items are NOT eligible for exemption?

In addition to the specific exclusions in the Act for vehicles and meals, the state sales tax holiday does not apply to:

Purchases of taxable services (such as hotel occupancy)
Amusement, recreational, and athletic admissions
Repairs to tangible personal property
Laundry, cleaning, pressing, and dyeing services
Vehicle parking
The furnishing of cold storage space
Printing services
Telecommunication services
Leases or rentals of tangible personal property

Purchases Eligible for Exemption

The sales tax holiday applies to all consumer purchases of firearms, ammunition and hunting supplies. Firearms eligible for the sales tax exemption include shotguns, rifles, pistols, revolvers, or other handguns, which may be legally sold or purchased in Louisiana. Ammunition intended to be fired from a gun or firearm is eligible for the sales tax exemption. Hunting supplies are eligible for the sales tax exemption only if used for and designed for hunting. Eligible hunting supplies include:

Animal feed that is manufactured and marketed as being for consumption primarily by game, which can be legally hunted; this does not include food for animals kept as pets;
Apparel such as safety gear, camouflage clothing, jackets, hats, gloves, mittens, face masks and thermal underwear manufactured and marketed as being primarily for wear or use while hunting;
Archery items used for hunting such as bows, crossbows, arrows, quivers and shafts;
Bags to carry game or hunting gear;
Belts that are manufactured and marketed as being primarily for use in hunting;
Binoculars only if purchased to be used for hunting;
Blinds;
Chairs to be used for hunting; this excludes purchases by an individual of chairs or other furniture for household, business or other recreational use;
Decoys;
Firearm, archery, and other accessories designed for hunting;
Float tubes only if purchased to be used for hunting;
Hearing protection gear and enhancements that hearing aids queens ny recommended;
Holsters;
Hunting shoes or boots designed and used for hunting;
Knives that are manufactured and marketed as being primarily for use in hunting; this excludes the purchase of knives by an individual to be used for household, business or other recreational use;
Miscellaneous gear that is manufactured and marketed as being primarily for use in hunting; this includes other hunting-related gear or supplies not previously listed. This excludes the purchase of toy guns and vessels or off road vehicles utilized as children’s toys;
Off-road vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles designed and intended primarily for hunting; the exemption does not apply to golf carts, go-carts, dirt bikes, mini-bikes, motorcycles, tractors, motor vehicles which may be legally driven on the streets and highways of Louisiana, or heavy equipment such as cranes, forklifts, backhoes and bulldozers;
Optical equipment such as rifle scopes and impact resistant glasses for shooting;
Range finders;
Slings;
Tools that are manufactured and marketed as being primarily for use in hunting;
Trail cameras with ShootingAuthority
Tree stands;
Decoys; and
Vessels such as airboats and pirogues designed and intended for hunting.

Purchases That Are Not Eligible

Consumer purchases do not include the purchase of animals, such as dogs. Hunting supplies do not include the purchase of toy guns and vessels or off road vehicles utilized as children’s toys. Firearms other than those listed are not eligible for the exemption. Purchases made by a business or for business purposes are not eligible for the sales tax exemption.

Learn more here: Louisiana Tax Free Weekend

Fourth of July Celebrations in Baton Rouge and Beyond

June 22, 2017 by Baton Rouge Moms

Get out your red, white and blue and celebrate America’s Independence! Here is a guide to fireworks shows, parades and other Fourth of July Celebrations in Baton Rouge and beyond! Enjoy some family time at these family-friendly events to celebrate America’s Independence with food, fun, family, fireworks and most importantly, honoring those who have served and continue to serve.

Baton Rouge Moms will always bring you the best in Family Friendly events in and around the Baton Rouge area, we have gathered the latest list of Family Friendly events for 4th of July festivities, thanks to our sponsor, BASIS.ed!

Fourth of July Celebrations in Baton Rouge and Beyond:

Kenilworth Independence Day Parade
Monday, July 3^rd at 6:30 pm

The theme of this year’s parade is “LIVING IN AMERICA” – Grand Marshal – Mike Manning, President & CEO of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. This is one of the largest events in Louisiana celebrating our nation’s independence. The annual parade is a Baton Rouge tradition, and this year will mark the 45th time we gather to celebrate our great nation! The 2017 parade is scheduled to roll at 6:30 pm on Monday, July 3rd. It lasts about an hour and rolls as long as weather permits. The route begins and ends at Kenilworth Science & Technology School on Boone Drive.

USS KIDD’s 4th of July Spectacular!
Tuesday, July 4, 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM

The USS KIDD has been hosting a 4th of July celebration in the downtown Baton Rouge area for over two decades. In that time, it has developed into an incredible family event that celebrates our nation’s freedom. The evening culminates with WBRZ’s Fireworks on the Mississippi River sponsored by the USS KIDD!

Over the past five years, the KIDD’s 4th of July Spectacular has become synonymous with the patriotic activities that attract thousands of families from across Louisiana and the southern United States. According to the Downtown Development District, the Baton Rouge 4th of July Fireworks Celebration brings in between 75,000 – 100,000 visitors per year. The celebration is made possible in part by the USS KIDD Veterans Museum, WBRZ News 2, the City of Baton Rouge, community partners, area sponsors and volunteers.

We look forward to celebrating our nation’s independence with YOU, Tuesday, July 4, 2016 from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM

West Baton Rouge Parish

4th Fest
Tuesday, July 4th 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM

The 4th Fest is great fun for the whole family from 4-11pm! There will be plenty of great food, kids activities, spacewalks, water slides, magic shows and face painting, this year we were able to buy a shirt printing machine from http://heatpressmachineguide.com/best-t-shirt-printing-machine/ so we can give a customize shirt to everyone who attends. With music by Geno Delafolse from 5-8pm and Foret Tradition from 8-11pm. And, of course, Fireworks on the River at 9pm! Sponsored by WBRZ and The Advocate.

Come enjoy this FREE 4th of July event on the Westside!

Walker

Old Fashioned Family Day Celebration:
Tuesday, July 4 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Floyd Brown Band will be performing at the Walker 4th of July celebration from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4th at Sidney Hutchinson Park. All games, festivities and events are free, bring your own food and drinks (no alcoholic beverages allowed) or purchase refreshments at the 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.

Donaldsonville

July Fireworks:
Monday, July 3rd 2:00pm-10:00pm

Singing Competiton, 3-5pm Michael Foster Project,
5-7pm Hello McFly, 7-9pm Artemis, & 9:15pm – Fireworks, Fun, & Fun for Everyone

Iberville Parish

17th Annual July 4th Hometown Celebration:
Tuesday, July 4 – 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Bayou Plaquemine Waterfront Park. 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

Pointe Coupee Parish

False River Annual 4th of July Boat Parade :
Monday, July 3rd 1:00pm to 10:00pm

New Roads Presents the 4th of July Boat Parade and Music Festival, July 3 For More Information Contact: (225) 638-5360

St. Mary Parish

Party in the Park – Morgan City’s Independence Day Celebration.
Tuesday, July 4th, 4:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Lawrence Park.

Join us for our July 4th Party in the Park! There will be live music by Driftwood & Groovy 7, BBQ dinners by the Tillman BBQ Team, fair hamburgers by X-Treme Sports, Immanuel Christian Church will have a soft drink and water booth and Morgan City Main Street will be selling beer on tap! Finish off the night with fireworks over the Atchafalaya River!
Please refrain from bringing ice chests to this event! Purchasing from these vendors supports this event and future events!

There’s something for everyone to celebrate this year’s Independence Day! We hope you have a fun, safe and Happy Fourth of July with your families!

*Dates and schedules subject to change. Please confirm with local convention and visitors bureaus before making your trip.

A big thanks to our sponsor, BASIS.ed!

BASIS Baton Rouge is opening in Fall 2018! They look forward to providing Baton Rouge families with the opportunity to experience a truly world-class education. We are proud to partner with Woman’s Hospital for this first BASIS campus in Baton Rouge. Interested in learning more about what a BASIS school will offer your student? Join them for an information session to learn from experienced BASIS school leaders about our academic model and get details on how to apply! http://basisschools.org/batonrouge

Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide: Sand Bag Locations, Lists, Numbers, Apps & Resources

June 20, 2017 by Tiany Davis

There is still a lot of uncertainty with Harvey over Louisiana. Currently, rainfall is the main concern for our area. The National Weather Service is predicting that Southwest Louisiana will see 10 to 20 inches of rain between tonight and tomorrow, Central Louisiana one to five inches of rain, and South Central Louisiana two to eight inches of rain, East Baton Rouge Parish is expected to receive 4-10 inches of rain over the next seven days. Stay safe, be prepared! While they don’t predict this to be a repeat of the August flooding, Harvey is here and expected to bring torrential rains and cause flash flooding and possibly tornadoes in some areas of Louisiana. The National Weather Service says the slow-moving system is expected to impact Louisiana over the next seven days.

Residents are urged to have an emergency plan in place and be prepared {sand bag list below}. Having been through hurricanes Andrew, Katrina, Rita , Issac and the Great Flood of 2016, natural disasters are something I have become accustomed to preparing for.

As with most things, preparation is key. Issac, sneaked up on me. When I finally made it to the store to get the basics, all I found were empty shelves.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Resources

Resources

This Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide is an excellent, comprehensive resource! From identifying the most likely risks to providing sheltering information, evacuation routes, listing supplies to identifying special needs and more. This Guide should be YOUR Guide to personal planning and business planning.

Top 10 Emergency Preparedness Apps

Red Stick Ready (iOS) The East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness strives to provide critical information to the citizens of East Baton Rouge Parish to help them prepare for, respond to and recover from all emergency situations.
iMapWeather Radio (iOS) this is by far my favorite app but it does cost $9.99. You will receive critical voice and text alerts on threatening weather events. Your iPhone will “wake up” and also “follow you” with alerts wherever you go. Listen to local weather forecasts while you are on the move. Enjoy the power of a NOAA Weather Radio, with all the convenience and precision of a smart phone. Winner of MediaPost’s Appy Award in the weather category.

Get A Game Plan – FREE – Get-A-Game-Plan is the most complete and easy way to access emergency preparedness information on a mobile device. The Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness created the app for the citizens of Louisiana to provide access to important information relevant to preparedness in the event of a security or natural disaster event.

Hurricane Tracker –(iOS) $2.99 offers detailed storm maps, National Hurricane Center info, threat level maps, audio/video forecast updates, real-time feeds and push alerts.

Hurricane — (iOS) FREE American Red Cross for both Android or iOS is a newer, totally free addition to Android’s growing hurricane-tracking stable, but it’s more than just a tracker — this app lets you “monitor conditions in your area or throughout the storm track, prepare your family and home, find help and let others know you are safe even if the power is out

iMPrepared –(iOS) FREE iPad App—iMPrepared helps plan for disasters with one convenient app that includes a compass, flashlight, disaster RSS feeds, and a S.O.S. signal.

FEMA Install the FEMA App, available for Apple, Android, and Blackberry mobile devices.

StopDisaster- $1.99 If you can’t stop the calamity, you can stop it from turning into a disaster if you are organized. The app provides a handy series of items you’ll need on hand for various emergencies – floods, earthquakes, high winds etc.

Phone Aid – $1.99 CPR is one of the things not covered by most basic preparedness courses (it’s standalone training) this app offers a series of slideshows that will help jog your memory if you’ve done CPR training and, if not, provides some first aid measures to do while you wait for emergency services.

Disaster Alert – (Andriod) – Disaster Alert (by PDC) – Current global disaster info on an interactive map Disaster Alert (by PDC), Active Hazards on an interactive map and in a list as they are occurring around the globe. Additional hazard information can be viewed and shared.

Preparation Before the Storm:

— Use hurricane shutters or board up windows and doors with 5/8 inch plywood.

— Bring outside items in if they could be picked up by the wind.

— Clear gutters of debris.

— Reinforce the garage door.

— Turn the refrigerator to its coldest setting in case power goes off. Use a cooler to keep from opening the doors on the freezer or refrigerator.

— Fill a bathtub with water.

— Get full tank of gas in one car.

— Go over the evacuation plan with the family, and learn alternate routes to safety.

— Learn the location of the nearest shelter or nearest pet-friendly shelter.

— Evacuate if ordered and stick to marked evacuation routes, if possible.

— Store important documents — passports, Social Security cards, birth certificates, deeds — in a watertight container.

— Have a current inventory of household property.

— Leave a note to say where you are going.

— Unplug small appliances and electronics before you leave.

— If possible, turn off the electricity, gas and water for residence.

Emergency Preparedness list:

— A three-day supply of water, one gallon per person per day.

— Three days of food, with suggested items including: canned meats, canned or dried fruits, canned vegetables, canned juice, peanut butter, jelly, salt-free crackers, energy/protein bars, trail mix/nuts, dry cereal, cookies or other comfort food.

— A can opener.

— Flashlight(s).

— A battery-powered radio, preferably a weather radio.

— Extra batteries.

— A first aid kit, including latex gloves; sterile dressings; soap/cleaning agent; antibiotic ointment; burn ointment; adhesive bandages in small, medium and large sizes; eye wash; a thermometer; aspirin/pain reliever; anti-diarrhea tablets; antacids; laxatives; small scissors; tweezers; petroleum jelly, having the best inversion table for back pain is also a plus and it will help a lot with any pain emergencies.

— A small fire extinguisher.

— A seven-day supply of medications.

— Vitamins.

— A multipurpose tool, with pliers and a screwdriver.

— Cell phones and chargers.

— Contact information for the family.

— A sleeping bag for each person.

— Extra cash.

— A silver foil emergency blanket.

— A map of the area.

— Baby supplies.

— Pet supplies.

— Wet wipes.

— A camera (to document storm damage).

— Insect repellent.

— Rain gear.

— Tools and supplies for securing your home.

— Plastic sheeting.

— Duct tape.

— Dust masks.

— An extra set of house keys.

— An extra set of car keys.

— An emergency ladder to evacuate the second floor.

— Household bleach.

— Paper cups, plates and paper towels.

— Activities for children.

— Charcoal and matches, if you have a portable grill. But only use it outside.

Current Baton Rouge Sandbag locations:

– BREC Airline Highway Fairgrounds – 16072 Airline Highway

– BREC Alsen Park – 601 Old Rafe Meyer Road

– BREC Doyles Bayou Park – 7801 Port Hudson-Pride Road

– BREC Flannery Road Park – 801 South Flannery Road

– BREC Hartley-Vey at Gardere Park – 1702 Gardere Lane

– BREC Memorial Stadium – 1702 Foss Street

– BREC Lovett Road Park – 13443 Lovett Road

– St. George Fire Department Headquarters – 14100 Airline Highway

– Chaneyville Volunteer Fire Department – Station 40 – 22790 Reames Road

Residents are urged to bring their own shovels to fill the sandbags. Real-time information about the locations can also be found at:

http://gis.brla.gov/emergency

Recover

Wait until an area is declared safe before returning home.
Remember that recovering from a disaster is usually a gradual process.

Sources: American Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Hurricane Center

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30 Things To Do in Baton Rouge & Beyond #BRMSummer

June 1, 2017 by Baton Rouge Moms

Summer break is just around the corner, time to relax and enjoy the lazy days of summer… but tell that to kids who are bouncing off the walls or singing the boredom blues. As parents, we want each summer to be more memorable than the last, and with that comes the need for a few new ideas, especially if your child is too young to go to a summer camp. Here are 30 Things To Do in Baton Rouge and beyond that are sure to keep you busy all summer long!

30 Things To Do in Baton Rouge & Beyond This Summer

LSU Lakes – Bike, Picnic, Splash Pad – Between feeding the ducks, the great little bike path, the kids playground, and a little splash pad behind the art gallery this is such a fun little day to have with the kiddos.
Tiki Tubing – Just a hop skip and jump away down the Amite. While you’re there grab some grub at Day’s Smokehouse & Specialty Meats
Blueberry Picking – There are an abundance of places to do this around the area. Sooner the better before they are all picked over. We love to make Blueberry Scones with a Lemon Glaze with our fresh crop.
Pottery Painting – Brushfire Studios – This is a quaint little studio in downtown Denham Springs. Perfect place to bring the kids. Bonus – they offer some
Water Balloon Fight – This is a summer classic. Want to make it more fun? Add a little food coloring to the balloons and put the kids in white shirts. Just get ready to hose them down.
Young Chefs Academy – This is one of my oldest’s favorite places. They have summer programs and fun little classes.
Overtones Music Class – I am so excited about this. We are enrolling the oldest in a lesson and the toddler will start a little class in August.
Blackwater Conservation
Tunica Falls – Okay if I am being honest, I am a bit dubious of this one. This seems like a “Am I in good enough shape for this?!” But I supposed there’s one way to find out, but if the girls and I disappear, we are probably stuck somewhere hiking…
Louisiana Peach Festival – Okay so maybe this isn’t quote the day trip, but it’s totally worth the drive to the home of my Alma Mata, Louisiana Tech University (Can I get a “How ‘bout them dawgs?” from my peeps?). Happening June 23-24, 2017 in Ruston, Louisiana. Peach ice cream and some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.
Delcambre Shrimp Festival – While we are on the festival beat, this is totally a day trip. You haven’t gone Cajun till you go Acadiana. A bit later in the summer this happens August 16-20, 2017. Bring your dancing shoes.
Old State Capitol – This is one of those things I am embarrassed I haven’t taken the girls to yet. While you’re downtown hit up the Louisiana Art and Science Museum.
Global Wildlife – This is one of the most underrated experiences of my childhood. Letting a giraffe eat out of your hand might be the highlight of your kids summer, and who am I kidding, your’s as well.
Myrtles Plantation Tour – My oldest is very into mystery and more. One day her and I will have a slumber party here, but till then a day tour is on the agenda. On your way home do yourself a favor and stop at Chloe’s in Zachary for a snowball.
WWII Museum – I don’t really know that this needs much introduction or a reason why. Pair this with
Louisiana Children’s Museum – Until Baton Rouge opens up their fabulous place this is one of my fondest childhood memories.
Audubon Zoo / Cool Zoo – I will spare you the song, but they do all “ax for you.” So don’t let those animals down. When you’re there, it’s totally worth the “pop” bracelet that gets you admission into the Cool Zoo and unlimited rides on the train and carousel.
Audubon Aquarium of America’s & Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium – What kid doesn’t want to touch a urchin and eat crickets.
Write and Illustrate a Children’s Book – Because after all these big adventures you are going to need some time at home.
T-Shirt Totes at EBRL – The East Baton Rouge Parish Library has so many little classes and fun projects for all ages. Check out their event calendar and enjoy!
Michael’s – Michael’s has some amazing little classes and fun summer programs for kids and adults of all ages. Cost of supplies and you are good to go!
Dinosaur Park Henderson – I have heard amazing things and this summer we intend to find out for ourselves, they sat that this park uses amusement park management system so I have big expectations!
Livingston Parish Library – Just a little hop next door and there are so many fun programs form Spingeneering to Toddler Dance (wiggle) classes.
Baton Rouge Ballet is touring around the parishes to a library near you!
Dig a Garden – There is no greater joy than watching my kiddos play in the dirt. It´s pretty much like teaching a class of gardening for beginners, except it´s very fun with your kids. I am quite positive my plumbing pipes do not agree, but it doesn´t matter, I have to install new pipes with Watertite Plumbing & Heating Bristol so they can have all the fun the want. Letting the kiddos grown and harvest their own veggies is the best way to inspire them to eat them.
Make a Nana recipe from scratch – No box mixes here, just some love, wooden spoons, and old family recipes.
Lemonade Stand – The earliest form of entrepreneurship at its south Louisiana finest.
Barnhill Preserve in Ethel – (sloths…nuff said) hands-on animal encounters and programs!
Aqua Pards Water Park –One can never get enough water fun during the summer heat!
Cajun Pride Swamp Tour – take a unique and educational journey back to the early days of Louisiana bayou and swamp explorations on this authentic Louisiana swamp eco-tour.

#BRMSummer

You can follow our Summer adventures on Instagram just search #BRMSummer for more Things To Do in Baton Rouge. Use the hashtag to share your summer adventures and have a chance at winning Gift Cards and prizes throughout the summer!! Each Friday we will do a #BRMSummer roundup on Instagram to share what other moms are doing in to keep the boredom blues at bay!

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TIGER Kids Study with Pennington Biomedical – Veggie Spring Rolls Recipe

April 28, 2017 by Guest Contributor

As moms, the health and wellbeing of our children is at the forefront of our minds. Balancing busy schedules with school, sports and social lives can make it hard for our kids to consistently eat healthy, exercise, perform well in school and manage the stresses of life in a healthy way.

Summer is fast approaching which means more time for fun activities. I’m also thinking about how to keep my boys healthy and happy during the hot summer months, which leads me to share about a great opportunity for our kids to become “TIGER Kids.”

Researchers at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center are conducting a study to learn more about what motivates kids to make healthy choices. The study is called TIGER Kids and it’s a great opportunity right here in our community to contribute to knowledge that could help kids across the country. How cool is that?

Researchers are measuring things that influence how our kids perform in school, how to help them become more active and how to eat healthier. The study is also looking at body image, stress levels, family behaviors (like kids’ relationships with siblings) and other motivating factors that contribute to the choices kids make.

Beyond contributing to research that could help our kids get and stay healthy, what’s in this study for us? Kids will be compensated for participation in TIGER Kids (can earn up to $100 for participation) and they have the opportunity to become a kid scientist! They can help researchers work to discover how to help kids move more, sit less and eat healthier. You and your kids can also get great in-depth information about their health, and kids will receive two “wearables” for a week to track their physical activity.

Participating in this study is easy! You and your child will visit Pennington Biomedical a total of 3 times over a 2 year period. Interested in your child becoming a TIGER Kid? I’ve included the full study details below. To screen for the study, visit http://www.pbrc.edu/TIGERKids or call 225-763-3000.

TIGER Kids Study with Pennington Biomedical

Study Purpose

The TIGER Kids research study will evaluate ways to: increase kids’ physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior (help kids move more and sit less), encourage healthy eating, and assess other factors that may influence school performance, body image, stress and mood.

About the Study

TIGER Kids participants will attend an orientation session at Pennington Biomedical to learn about the study and receive activity tracking tools. Participants will then visit Pennington Biomedical’s Translational Research Center for Children (TReCC) twice during the study – one visit after the orientation session and one visit two years later.

TIGER Kids participants will also receive valuable health information at no cost. Each participant is eligible to receive a copy of:

their lab work; including blood sugar and cholesterol tests;
a printout of their DXA scan, which includes total body fat, total muscle mass, total lean mass and bone density readings; and
a copy of body measurement data including height, weight, waist circumference, body mass index, blood pressure and heart rate.

TIGER Kids participants will attend a total of 3 study visits over the course of approximately 2 years with the following procedures:

Body measurements (height, weight, and waist size)
Blood pressure
Surveys
Dietary Questions
Wear an activity monitor, GPS tracker, and respond to messages on a mobile app for 7-days

Study Qualifications

To qualify, participants in this study should be:

Be between 10 and 16 years old
Not be on a restrictive diet

Compensation

Total compensation for the completion of this study is $100.

Study Contact

Parents, are you ready to see if your child qualifies for the TIGER Kids study? Visit http://www.pbrc.edu/TIGERKids to screen online or call 225-763-3000.

Looking for a healthy family fun recipe to cook this summer? Check out these rainbow fruit and veggie spring rolls:

Veggie Spring Rolls

Makes about 24 rolls, 1 roll with dipping sauce is 110 kcals, 2g protein, 17g carbohydrate, 2g fiber, 4g fat, 1g saturated fat, 2g monounsaturated fat, 1g polyunsaturated fat

2 cups shredded carrots
1 red bell pepper
1 cucumber, peeled
1 large avocado, peeled and seeded
2 mangoes, peeled and seeded
1 package of vermicelli noodles, cooked according to package
24 brown rice spring roll wraps
1 cup cilantro leaves
1 cup basil leaves
1 cup mint leaves

Veggie Spring Roll Dipping sauce

1/3 cup peanut butter or cashew butter
2 Tbsp Hoisin sauce
1 ½ Tbsp Reduced Sodium soy sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
½ tsp chili sauce (check ingredients for peanut allergens if necessary)
2-4 Tbsp warm water for desired consistency

Fruit Spring Rolls

Makes about 10 rolls
1 roll with vanilla yogurt is 65 kcals, 1g protein, 15g carbohydrate, 2g fiber, 0g fat

1 mango
5 strawberries
2 kiwis
6 pineapple chunks
5 romaine lettuce leaves
10 Brown rice spring roll wraps
½ cup mint leaves
½ cup Vanilla yogurt for dipping

Directions

Slice fruit or veggies into skinny strips and tear herbs into smaller pieces. Set aside.
Bring 3 cups water to a boil in a saucepan or kettle and set aside to cool slightly.
Prepare the veggie spring roll dipping sauce by combining all ingredients together. Thin with warm water to achieve desired consistency.
Add the hot water to a large bowl and submerge one rice paper to soften for about 5-10 seconds.
Transfer rice paper to a flat, slightly wet surface and add desired fruit, veggies, and herbs. Fold the bottom of the rice paper up over the fillings, then gently roll over once, fold in the sides to seal, and continue rolling until completely sealed.
Repeat process until all toppings are used.
Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to a couple days, though best when fresh.

Want more healthy recipes? Check out the Pennington Biomedical metabolic kitchen website! www.pbrc.edu/kitchen

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Happy Birthday, Baton Rouge! – Bicentennial Baton Rouge Moms Night Out

January 17, 2017 by Baton Rouge Moms

Happy Birthday, Baton Rouge!! 200 years ago today, on January 17, 1817, the Legislature incorporated the city of Baton Rouge. Now, 200 years later we’re celebrating this milestone with a year-long celebration including bicentennial themed events, festivities, exhibits, products, and more! Throughout 2017, as Baton Rouge celebrates its 200th year of incorporation, Baton Rouge Moms will be celebrating too. Our biggest event of the year, “Baton Rouge Moms’ Night Out – Bicentennial Birthday Bash”, will celebrate Baton Rouge’s bicentennial birthday and the women living, loving and mothering in Baton Rouge.

Our event will coincide with National Moms’ Night Out in partnership with Yelp of Baton Rouge and National Moms Nite Out among other partners yet to be announced!

Baton Rouge Moms’ Night Out – May 11th, 2017 @ 7pm

Details are coming together, it’s sure to be a night of Baton Rouge themed fun with lots of pampering for moms and community engagement from some of our favorite local Baton Rouge businesses! We will continue posting details on our Facebook event page as they become available. If you or your business would like to partner with Baton Rouge Moms for our Baton Rouge Bicentennial Birthday Bash please send us an email!

To stay up to date with the year long celebration be sure to follow Baton Rouge 200 for information on Baton Rouge’s Bicentennial events, things to do and how you can get involved. You will find resources for kids, such as coloring pages, educational materials and fun activity sheets to learn more about the city of Baton Rouge and its rich history.

Click on Parentinn’s review to get advice on parenting, I also recommend getting the pure enrichment humidifier, it will make your like easier as a mom.

Our friends at Visit Baton Rouge asked the community about their favorite things to do in Baton Rouge and complied a list of 200 Things To Do, our great city offers a plethora of fun for everyone. You will also find a Baton Rouge history timeline and slideshow thanks to the East Baton Rouge Parish Library.

There is so much to love about Baton Rouge… from the people, the food and small businesses to our historical gems, our football and our beautiful oaks. Tell us what YOU love about Baton Rouge and you could win TWO tickets to our Moms’ Night Out – Bicentennial Birthday Bash! Enter on our Facebook post HERE.

This will be the best birthday party Baton Rouge has ever seen!

BASIS Charter School possibly expanding into Baton Rouge

January 11, 2017 by Baton Rouge Moms

BASIS Charter School is exploring the possibility of expanding into Baton Rouge for the 2018 school year! This is a great opportunity for Baton Rouge parents to learn about and explore alternative options for educating their children in the Baton Rouge area. We all want the best for our children educationally. The question, and sometimes dilemma, is how do we achieve this? The more options we have the better, all children are different and usually learn differently too. BASIS Charter School is open and transparent about their learning culture because they understand that choosing a school is an eminently personal decision.

Baton Rouge Basis Charter School

What is a BASIS Charter School?

The nationally-ranked BASIS.ed academic program was founded on the notion that any student can be taught to love learning. Thanks to their passionate and supportive K–12 subject expert teachers and STEM-inspired, liberal arts curriculum, BASIS students are prepared for future successes in higher education and beyond.

BASIS.ed students consistently rank among the top in the world in critical thinking and problem solving in math, reading, and science. A BASIS.ed education is a blend of the rigorous standards seen around the world plus the ingenuity and creativity so often associated with American education.

How does BASIS.ed work?

In their K–4 program, students are not just taught content, but also the necessary skills of organization, time management, and study habits. The BASIS.ed curriculum includes a wide array of classes ranging from English and Math/Science to Mandarin, Physical Education (both traditional and Kenpo), Music, Drama, and Art. Additionally, BASIS.ed is proud to offer their signature Connections courses for grades 1–4.

There are two different kinds of Connection courses: “All Connections” focuses on the knowledge students acquire in their other classes and brings it all together, presenting students with scenarios in which they work in small groups to solve problems, drawing on the entirety of their learning. “Fine Arts Connections” does the same, but focuses on their Fine Arts knowledge acquired in Music, Drama, and Art.

The curriculum for students in grades 5–7 is the foundation that makes possible the academic achievements of the upper school. Students in 5th grade take Latin, General Science, Physical Geography, Math, Classics, English, PE, Art, and Music. Students in 6th grade study Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Math, English, U.S. History, and Latin, and also choose an elective. Electives include Band, Drama, Guitars, and Creative Writing.

Learn more about BASIS.ed.

Please join BASIS Charter Schools on Tue, March 21, 2017 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM CDT on Woman’s Hospital campus (Conference Rooms 1, 2 and 3) to learn more about our model that includes: student accountability, mandarin (starting in Kindergarten), organizational skills/time management, and 100% college acceptance rate (into a 4 year college).

When: Tue, March 21, 2017 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM CDT

Where: Woman’s Hospital (Conference Rooms 1,2 and 3) 100 Woman’s Way, Baton Rouge, LA 7081

How: Please RSVP—> http://bit.ly/2nAg2l4

Disclosure: This is a “sponsored post.” The company 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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Best Baton Rouge King Cake – 2018

Honorable Mention:

More Baton Rouge Area locations to get your king cake fix:

2017 Baton Rouge Holiday & Christmas Events Guide

Mistletoe Market of Baton Rouge Saturday, November 11th 9-5 Sunday, November 12th 10-5 Belle of Baton Rouge

Tuesday, November 28th, with festivities beginning at 4:30 p.m. in the LSU Student Union.

DECEMBER 9th @ 5:30 pm- Find Parade Map HERE.

November 24 – December 30 Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas Gates open 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Zoo grounds close at 9 p.m.

Sunday, December 3, 2017 12:30pm until 6:00pm

Holiday Skating on the River

Festival of Lights at Far-Out First Friday

Friday, December 2, 2016 at 5:00pm – 9:00pm

Friday, December 2, 2016 at 5:00pm – 9:00pm

DECEMBER 16TH AND 17TH, 2 PM AND 6 PM

A “How I Became a Pirate” Christmas Adventure December 8 – 17, 2017

BREC Holiday Events

Kansas City Southern Holiday Express TrainKCS Holiday Express will be making stops throughout Louisiana. Meet Santa and receive a holiday treat bag! For more information, download the Kansas City Southern Holiday Express Train app from the iTunes store.

Holiday Events Beyond Baton Rouge

Christmas Marketplace Nights

The 2017 season: November 24, 2017 – January 1, 2018 Closed November 27, 28, 29, 30 Closed Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve Monday – Thursday : 6pm -10pm Friday: 6pm -11pm Saturday: 5pm – 11pm Sunday: 5pm – 10pm

Canal Street Lighting Ceremony

A Civil War Christmas- – St. Francisville

December 3rd 6-8pm

Christmas in Central Square – TBA

December 1-23, 2017 5:30-9:00 pm Nightly (weather permitting)

December 8, 9, 10, 2017 Lutcher Park 2545 Louisiana Avenue Lutcher, LA

Christmas Past Festival 12/9/17, 9 AM-3 PM in Old Mandeville.

Grand Opening Festivities

Chicken Salad Chick Giveaway!!! (Ended)

We have partnered with Chicken Salad Chick to give away a large Chicken Salad Chick cooler with a large quick chick of chicken salad, crackers, chips, koozie and a tumbler.

2017 Louisiana Back to School Sales Tax Holiday Weekend

Purchases Eligible for Exemption

What items are NOT eligible for exemption?

Purchases Eligible for Exemption

Purchases That Are Not Eligible

Fourth of July Celebrations in Baton Rouge and Beyond:

West Baton Rouge Parish

Walker

Donaldsonville

Iberville Parish

Pointe Coupee Parish

St. Mary Parish

Baton Rouge, Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Resources

Resources

Top 10 Emergency Preparedness Apps

Preparation Before the Storm:

Emergency Preparedness list:

Current Baton Rouge Sandbag locations:

Recover

30 Things To Do in Baton Rouge & Beyond This Summer

#BRMSummer

TIGER Kids Study with Pennington Biomedical

Veggie Spring Rolls

Fruit Spring Rolls

Baton Rouge Moms’ Night Out – May 11th, 2017 @ 7pm

What is a BASIS Charter School?

How does BASIS.ed work?

Learn more about BASIS.ed.

When: Tue, March 21, 2017 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM CDT

Where: Woman’s Hospital (Conference Rooms 1,2 and 3) 100 Woman’s Way, Baton Rouge, LA 7081

How: Please RSVP—> http://bit.ly/2nAg2l4

Disclosure: This is a “sponsored post.” The company 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.

Mistletoe Market of Baton Rouge
Saturday, November 11th 9-5
Sunday, November 12th 10-5
Belle of Baton Rouge

November 24 – December 30
Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas
Gates open 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Zoo grounds close at 9 p.m.

Sunday, December 3, 2017
12:30pm until 6:00pm

A “How I Became a Pirate” Christmas Adventure
December 8 – 17, 2017

The 2017 season:
November 24, 2017 – January 1, 2018
Closed November 27, 28, 29, 30
Closed Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve
Monday – Thursday : 6pm -10pm
Friday: 6pm -11pm
Saturday: 5pm – 11pm
Sunday: 5pm – 10pm

December 8, 9, 10, 2017
Lutcher Park
2545 Louisiana Avenue
Lutcher, LA