Bayouland Activities
May 31, 2013
Luke lands at Riverside
June 4, 2013
Selected regional events in June are highlighted below.
New Orleans hosts Cajun-Zydeco Festival
June 8-9
Some of the best musicians in a genre steeped with south Louisiana culture bring the two-step on June 8-9 to the Old U.S. Mint, 400 Esplanade Ave. Admission is free.
Two stages are assembled around the historic mint, and 20 musicians are scheduled to perform at the seventh-annual event, organized by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and billed as New Orleans’ premier showcase of the genre.
March Broussard, Chubby Carrier, Bruce Daigrepont and Rosie Ledet are scheduled to perform on Saturday, while Lost Bayou Ramblers, Beausoleil, Geno Delafose and Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas are scheduled to play on Sunday.
In addition to the music, 30 artisans sell hand-made art, jewelry and other crafts, and 15 food vendors sell meals.
The Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco festival also has a stage at the French Market Creole Tomato Festival.
For more information, visit www.jazzandheritage.org.
St. George Observatory offers Summer Camp
June 17-21 and 24-28
Registration remains open for summer camp at the St. George Observatory, 540 St. George Road, Schriever.
Headlining the camp is former NASA Astronaut Dr. Story Musgrave, who will lead discussion and meet campers.
The camp also includes a National Weather Service balloon launch, a crime scene investigation presentation, and lessons in dissection, biology, physical science, rockets, medieval siege engines and sundials, in addition to various other activities.
Owned and curated by Ken Stage, St. George Observatory has been recognized nationally for its public outreach programs.
Open to children 5 and older, the camps are scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., from June 17-21 and June 24-28. Registration costs $250 per camper.Free pizza is made available to campers on Fridays.
To register, call (985) 448-1934 or email curator@StGeorgeObservatory.com.
Garden Fest held in Baton Rouge
June 15
Horticulturists unite in Baton Rouge June 15 for the annual Garden Fest, as sponsored by LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens.
A celebration of Louisiana produce and those who grow it, the festival presents hayrides, a tomato contest open to visitors, children’s activities and the Red Stick Idol contest.
The festival puts a unique spin on Louisiana produce. Omelets samples are made available in the morning, followed by Bloody Mary samples and the Garden Fest Cocktail Contest. Gourmet dishes prepared by the Louisiana Culinary Institute are also served.
Garden tours are given, including sites like the All-America Selections garden, the rose garden and the children’s garden.
The grounds also feature tomato, watermelon, pepper and fruit tastings.
The event lasts from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Botanic Gardens at Burden, 4560 Essen Lane. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 4 to 10 years old.
Petit Tour du Teche returns for second year
June 29-30
Paddlers between the ages of 5 and 17 compete in a series of races in Breaux Bridge.
The youngsters’ tour was inspired by the success of Tour du Teche, which has grown over its three years into a regionally renowned event.
Races distances range from 250 years to one mile, and ribbons and certificates are given as prizes.
Participants are divided into five age divisions and six classes, such as solo double blade paddle and tandem single blade paddle.
As with Tour du Teche, participants cruise down Bayou Teche beginning in Breaux Bridge, which provides an opportunity to be intimate with nature while exercising competitively.
In the lead-up to Petit Tour du Teche, a paddling camp is offered. Open to paddlers between the ages of 12 and 17, classes are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. from June 24-28. Registration costs $200.
For more information, call (337) 789-0319 or visit www.tourduteche.com.
Bruce Daigrepont performs at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. He returns to New Orleans June 8 to play day one of the Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival.
