April Goings On

4th ANNUAL PRE-49 PARADE OF RODS – April 1

Mardi Gras Street Rods hosts this judging of the area’s cherriest rides. Cars must be registered and present to win. Trailered cars are welcome, but are not judged. Registration is $30.

Ramada Inn, 1400 W. Tunnel Blvd. (985) 447-2210

HORSESHOW – April 1 FREE

The Terrebonne Livestock Association hosts judged and speed events.

Houma Airbase Arena, 121 Moffet Road, Houma, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (985) 804-7932. www.terrebonne-livestock.org.

BLACK BEAR PAGEANT – April 7

Franklin females, ages 17 to 23, vie for the queen and miss pageant title for the Bayou Teche Bear Festival.

Downtown Franklin at the Main Street Lamppost, at 6 p.m. (985) 519-0290. www.bayoutechebearfest.org.

TARZAN, LORD OF THE LA. JUNGLE FEST – April 12-14

Celebrate Tarzan’s 100th birthday in the city where his first jungle flick was filmed in 1917. Documentarian Al Bohl’s film about the making of the original silent movie and a showing of the remade film are spotlighted. Offerings for the little ones include a Tarzan Yell Zone.

Morgan City Municipal Auditorium and Louisiana State Museum, Patterson. (985) 395-4905. www.tarzanlordajungle.com.

RHYTHMS ON THE RIVER – April 13

DejaVu performs live along Morgan City’s riverfront.

Downtown Morgan City, 6-8 p.m. (985) 384-9291.

FRANKLIN RELAY FOR LIFE – April 14

Participants walk the course and money is raised based on the distance they travel.

Franklin Senior High School, noon to midnight. (337) 578-8252.

HOUMAPALOOZA – April 14 FREE

Ten independent bands showcase their original tunes. Bring your blankets or lawn chairs (sorry, no ice chests). Food and drinks are sold. After the festival, Houmapalooza … on Tap, a bar crawl, hits the downtown bars.

Downtown Houma Courthouse Square, beginning at noon. (985) 873-6367. www.houmapalooza.com.

CRACKLIN’ COOK-OFF, CAR & CRAFT SHOW – April 14

Sample cracklin’ from some of the best at frying pork lard.

Cut Off Youth Center, 205 W. 79th St., Cut Off. (985) 632-7616.

BLESSING OF THE SHRIMP FLEET – April 15 FREE

Features highly decorated boats traveling down bayou from St. Joseph Catholic Church to Boudreaux Canal. The blessing is meant to ask God for a safe, plentiful season.

St. Joseph Catholic Church, 5232 Hwy. 56, Chauvin, beginning at noon. (985) 594-5859.

2012 CHAUVIN FOLK ART FESTIVAL/BLESSING OF THE FLEET CELEBRATION – April 15 FREE

Demonstrations by local craftsmen, art activities and Cajun cuisine are earmarks of this festival.

Chauvin Sculpture Gardens, 5337 Bayouside Drive, Chauvin, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (985) 493-2500.

BAYOU TECHE BLACK BEAR FESTIVAL – April 20-22

Features an art sale and exhibit, educational seminars, Cub Club children’s activities, field trips, arts and crafts, food, music and more.

Downtown Franklin. (337) 940-1156. www.bayoutechebearfest.org.

RHYTHMS ON THE RIVER – April 20 FREE

Jamie Bergeron & the Kickin’ Cajuns perform free.

Downtown Morgan City riverfront. (985) 384-9281

3RD BAYOU TECHE WOODEN BOAT SHOW – April 20-22

The boat show is held in conjunction with the Bayou Teche Black Bear Festival.

Franklin’s Parc sur la Teche, beginning at 6 p.m. Friday and continuing through Sunday.

LA FETE DU MONDE – April 20-22

Live Cajun and swamp pop music, food, dancing and a carnival midway are the highlight of this fest.

Downtown Lockport on Church Street. (985) 532-5909. www.bayoumuseum.org.

HAVEN’S ANNUAL SPRING GALA – April 21

Themed “Home is Where the Heart Is,” the fundraiser includes samples prepared by more than 20 local restaurants and chefs, a silent auction with 200-plus items and live music. Proceeds benefit the Haven, which ensures a safe place for abused women and children in our community.

Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, 346 Civic Center Blvd., Houma, 6:30-11 p.m. (985) 872-0757.

LADYBUG BALL CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL – April 21

Learn about protecting the wetlands at plenty of hands-on activity booths. Activities range from $1 to $4. Food and drinks sold. 100,001 ladybugs released on Southdown Plantation’s ground. Also, teaches lessons about the wetlands. (Alternative rain date set for April 22.)

Southdown Plantation House, 1208 Museum Drive, Houma, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (985) 580-7289.

HOLY FAMILY BOAT BLESSING – April 22

In celebration of the start of shrimp season, the event blesses area fishermen and their boats. A fisherman’s mass is set for 10 a.m., followed by a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. The boat blessing begins at 2 p.m.

Holy Name Society and Holy Family Church, 6641 Grand Caillou Road, Houma. (985) 563-2325.

TAKE ME HOME: A JOHN DENVER TRIBUTE – April 24

John Denver tribute artist Jim Curry and his band pay homage to the deceased folk singer/songwriter. Adult tickets cost $45 and students (K-12) can purchase tickets for $10.

Morgan City, Schreier Theater of the Municipal Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. (985) 385-2307.

25th ANNUAL LSU FIGHTING TIGERS CELEBRITY GOLF TOURNAMENT – April 27

Shotgun start is at 7:45 a.m. or 12:45 p.m. The cost is $850 per team or $210 per player, which includes a mulligan, golf cart and green fees, as well as lunch, beer and soft drinks on the course. Prizes for the low net and low gross are awarded for the morning and afternoon tees. Entry deadline is April 19.

Ellendale Country Club, La. Highway 311, Houma. (985) 868-3500, (985) 209-9007 or (985) 852-1625.

DOWNTOWN LIVE AFTER 5 – April 27 FREE

Voodoo Bayou performs free. Bring your lawn chairs.

Houma Courthouse, 7856 Main St., 5-10 p.m. (985) 873-4608, www.houmamainstreet.org.

LOYOLA UNIVERSITY IGNATIAN SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS PERFORM – April 27 FREE

Adam Mayon, pianist senior in piano performance at Loyola University New Orleans, and his brother Alex Mayon, trumpeter junior in music education at Loyola, perform. Adam has won several piano competitions, and both are Ignatian Scholarship students. Adam performs selections from Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, Chopin and more. Alex performs one trumpet concerto and is accompanied by Adam. The sons of Byron and Rhonda Mayon of Bayou Vista, each graduated from Berwick High School. The St. Mary Arts and Humanities Council sponsors the event.

Bethel Pentecostal Fellowship Church, 101 Tiffany St., Patterson. (504) 384-7644.

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY’S ANNUAL TERREBONNE RELAY FOR LIFE – April 28

The public is invited to participate in the fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, which runs from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Participants walk the course and money is raised based on the distance they travel. Teams, which include between eight and 15 people, can register for a $10 fee.

Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, 346 Civic Center Blvd., beginning at 5 p.m. (985) 851-7719 or www.relayforlife.org/terrebonne

JAZZ BRUNCH – April 29

Features a delicious brunch, jazz music and a silent auction.

Southdown Plantation, 1208 Museum Drive, at noon. (985) 851-0154. www.southdownmuseum.org.

THIBODAUX FIREMEN’S FAIR & PARADE – May 3-6

Live music, Cajun food and a carnival midway highlight this, America’s largest volunteer fire department fair. No gate fee.

Thibodaux Firemen’s Fairgrounds, Tiger Drive, Thibodaux. (985) 446-3247. www.thibfiredept.org.