"Family Fun" during the month of April

Apr. 8; Beacon Light International Ministries Easter Sunday Service (Houma) at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, 346 Civic Center Blvd. Doors open at 8 a.m. The public is invited to attend the free service. For more info: (985) 873-8795.

Apr. 8; Horse Show (Houma) at the Houma Airbase, 221 Moffet Rd., beginning at 9 a.m. The all-day event is sponsored by the Terrebonne Livestock Association and features many judged events. Free to the public. Refreshments and concessions will be sold. For more info: (985) 580-2445 or (985) 594-7545.

Apr. 12-15; Paddle Bayou Lafourche (Donaldsonville to Lockport) beginning 8 a.m., April 12. Paddlers in canoes, kayaks or pirogues will take a 52-mile, four-day trip down Bayou Lafourche. Each evening, events will be held at the campsites, or paddlers can stay at discounted bed and breakfasts or hotels along the route. Participants can travel one day or all four. For more info: (985) 447-0838 or, online, visit www.btnep.org.

Apr. 13-15; Orchid Show and Plant Sales (Houma) at Southland Mall, 5953 West Park Ave., from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 12 to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Sponsored by the Terrebonne Orchid Society, the event will include a judging on Saturday. For more info: (985) 851-0193.

Apr. 14; Art After Dark Spring Fiesta (Houma) in Downtown Houma, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government and the Houma Regional Arts Council, the event showcases works by local artists. A live music, art and performance art reception will be held at Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum, 7910 West Park Ave., Houma, from 6-9 p.m. For more info: (985) 594-4215.

Apr. 14; The Haven’s “Home Is Where the Heart Is” Gala (Houma) at 6:30 p.m., at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, 346 Civic Center Blvd. The event benefits The Haven, a Houma shelter for abused women and children. Tickets are $50 per person. For more info: (985) 872-0757.

Apr. 14; Healthy Kids Day (Houma) at the YMCA, 103 Valhi Blvd. The event features activities for children of all ages, as well as food. For more info: (985) 873-9622.

Apr. 14; Cracklin Cook-Off (Cut Off) from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Cut Off Youth Center, 205 West 79th St. For more info: (985) 632-7616.

Apr. 14; Jubilee Jambalaya Writers’ Conference (Houma) beginning at 8 a.m., at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library, 151 Civic Center Blvd. A full day of presentations and workshops for writers. For more info: (985) 876-5158.

Apr. 15; Blessing of the Shrimp Fleet (Chauvin) at St. Joseph’s Church, 5232 Hwy. 56, Chauvin, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The annual boat parade begins at the church and ends at Boudreaux Canal. Boaters seek God’s blessing for a safe and prosperous shrimping season. For more info: (985) 594-5859.

Apr. 15; Estate Liquidators Home DÈcor & Antique Auction (Houma) at 11:30 a.m., at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, 346 Civic Center Blvd. The auction begins at 1 p.m. Admission is free. For more info: www.auction-preview.com.

Apr. 17; Winter Rodeo Series (Houma) at the Houma Airbase Arena, 221 Moffet Rd., beginning at 7 p.m. The event features many events from bull riding to breakaway roping. For more info: (985) 580-2445 or (985) 591-7545.

Apr. 18; Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Banquet (Houma) at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, 346 Civic Center Blvd. Cocktails will be served at 5:30 p.m.; dinner at 7 p.m. Auction gets under way at 8 p.m. Tickets are $40 adults, $25 spouse and $20 children. For more info: (985) 876-5126.

Apr. 20; 20th annual LSU Fighting Tigers Celebrity Golf Tournament (Houma) at the Ellendale Country Club, Hwy. 311. The shotgun start is 7:45 a.m. or 12:45 p.m. The 18-hole, five-man scrable (four golfers with one LSU coach, LSU past athlete or LSU celebrity) event has a maximum full handicap of 18. The deadline to enter is April 12. For more info: (985) 868-3500 or (985) 868-0303.

Apr. 20; Lockport Food Festival (Lockport) in downtown Lockport. The event features food, music, dancing and a carnival midway. For more info: (985) 532-3285.

Apr. 21; Seventh Annual Ladybug Ball (Houma) at the Southdown Plantation House, 1208 Museum Dr., from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will include the release of 100,001 ladybugs. It features food, games, music and entertainment. The Zoo Mobile, Insect Mobile and Wildside table from Audubon Zoo will also be on hand. For more info: (985) 851-3999.

Apr. 21; Spring Concert (Houma) at Southland Mall Shopping Center, near the JC Penney Court, 5953 W. Park Ave., at 6:30 p.m. The Houma-Terrebonne Community Band will perform. The concert is free and open to the public. For more info: (985) 637-3894.

Apr. 21; 11th annual Panda Meander (Houma) at St. Bernadette’s Catholic School, 309 Funderburk Ave. Registration begins at 8 a.m., and the half-mile fun run kicks off at 8:30 a.m. The 5K race begins at 9:30 a.m. Refreshments will be served, and children’s activities will be available. A talent show will follow at 11 a.m. For more info: (985) 872-3854.

Apr. 21; Art Under the Oaks: A Fine Arts Festival (Thibodaux) at E.D. White Historic Site, La. State Museum, 2295 St. Mary St., La. 1. Features a “petting zoo” where children can explore the musical instruments of NSU music students. Food, music, arts and crafts. For more info: (985) 876-7831.

Apr. 21; Cajun Comedy Night (Cut Off) at the Cut Off Youth Center, 205 West 79th St. Dinner and a social hour begins at 5 p.m.; the humor begins at 6:30 p.m. For more info: (985) 632-7676.

Apr. 27; Spencers Theatre of Illusion (Houma) at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, 346 Civic Center Blvd., at 7 p.m. The Broadway Series show combines original theatrical elements with cutting-edge illusions, audience interaction, dramatic lighting, special effects, music, movement and stage magic. Admission is $16.28 to $27.13. For more info: (985) 850-4657.

Apr. 27; Downtown Live After 5 (Houma) 6 to 10 p.m., at the Courthouse in Downtown Houma. The Upressors will perform free. Food and beverages will be sold. For more info: (985) 873-6408.

Apr. 27; Family Fun Festival (Larose) at the Larose Regional Park, La. 308. The festival includes Cajun food, music, dancing and carnival midway. For more info: (985) 693-7355 or, online, visit www.bayoucivicclub.org.

Apr. 28; Terrebonne Parish Cancer Relay for Life (Houma) from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m., at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, 346 Civic Center Blvd., from 5 to 9 p.m. Sponsored by the Terrebonne Parish American Cancer Society, the outdoor festival raises money and awareness for cancer research. Includes food, music, and a tribute to cancer survivors. For more info: (985) 851-0193.

Apr. 29; Holy Family Boat Blessing (Houma) at Holy Family Church, 6641 Grand Caillou Road, La. 57. A fisherman’s mass begins at 10 a.m, followed by a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Blessing of the boats begins at 2 p.m. For more info: (985) 563-2325.

Apr. 29; Laurel Valley Spring Festival (Thibodaux) at the Laurel Valley Store, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more info: (985) 447-5216 or (985) 446-7456.

Throughout April; Historic Thibodaux Walking Tours (Thibodaux) at the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center of Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve, 314 St. Mary St., at 2 p.m. daily. For more info: (985) 448-1375.