Fun and learning infused for kids
May 2, 2012
3-hour tour illuminates local history
May 2, 2012
TOUR THE HISTORIC BAYOU LAFOURCHE –Through May 25
Cast off from Thibodaux and take a journey to one of two historic plantation homes adjacent to Bayou Lafourche. On the way, learn about the waterway’s storied history and evolving biology. On Fridays and Saturdays, the 20-passenger aluminum boat travels upstream to Madewood Plantation in Napoleonville; on Wednesdays, the boat docks at E.D. White Plantation Home, birthplace of U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Edward Douglas White. Madewood tickets cost $28.25, which includes lunch. E.D. White tours cost $5.
Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, 314 St. Mary St., Thibodaux. (985) 448-1375. www.nps.gov/jela.
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.
N.O. JAZZ AND HERITAGE FESTIVAL – May 3-6
Jimmy Buffett, Florence and the Machine, Zac Brown Band, Eagles, Ne-Yo, The Warren Haynes Band with Dr. John, Foo Fighters, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings and The Neville Brothers headline the final four days of Jazz Fest 2012. One-day tickets cost $50.
New Orleans Fairgrounds, 1751 Gentilly Blvd. www.nojazzfest.com.
DALTON HILLIARD CELEBRITY GOLF TOURNEY – May 4
The annual tournament, a five-man scramble, returns to Patterson. Registration costs $800 for a four-man team, and each team is paired with a well-known collegiate or professional athlete. Prizes include gift cards to the pro shop and more. A portion of the proceeds benefits Patterson High School.
8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Atchafalaya Golf Course at Idlewild, Patterson. (985) 395-4653.
RHYTHMS ON THE RIVER – May 4 FREE
Louisiana Soul Survivor performs.
6 to 9 p.m., Downtown Morgan City. (985) 384-9291.
ANNUAL TERREBONNE ORCHID SOCIETY SHOW AND SALE – May 4-6 FREE
Local and regional vendors display blooming plants for sale, and some vendors will have the products consumers need for potting. Monica Walther, a member of the Terrebonne Orchid Society, gives a seminar on re-potting orchids Friday at 5:30 p.m. The 2012 theme is “A Spring Festival of Orchids.” The show runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Southland Mall, 5953 W. Park Ave., Houma. (985) 876-1171 or (985) 594-4050.
BREAUX BRIDGE CRAWFISH FESTIVAL – May 4-6
The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival, one of the state’s most renowned celebrations, returns with its variety of crawfish offerings, races, an eating contest and an étouffée cook-off. Thirty Cajun and Zydeco bands play over three days. Admission is $5 on Friday and Sunday and $10 on Saturday.
Parc Hardy, 2090 Rees St., Breaux Bridge. (337) 332-6655.
TARC GARDEN AND MARKET FESTIVAL – May 5
The third-annual garden fair features garden-related vendors, expert speakers, plant sales and lawn and garden merchandise. TARC showcases its food, gourmet candy products, bakery products, worm tea fertilizer, salsa and pepper jelly. All proceeds benefit TARC individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Admission is $3.
8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., No. 1 McCord Road, Houma. (985) 876-4465.
HORSESHOW – May 6 FREE
The Terrebonne Livestock Association hosts judged and speed events.
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Houma Airbase Arena, 121 Moffet Road. (985) 804-7932. www.terrebonne-livestock.org.
RHYTHMS ON THE RIVER – May 11 FREE
Krossfyre performs.
6 to 9 p.m., Downtown Morgan City. (985) 384-9291
TNA IMPACT WRESTLING – May 11
World Champ Bobby Roode leads an acclaimed roster, including AJ Styles, Jeff Hardy, Rob Van Dam, Devon and Austin Aries, into Thibodaux. What will General Manager Hulk Hogan have in store for the locals? Tickets range from $20 to $50.
7:30 p.m. Warren J. Harang Auditorium, 310 N. Canal Blvd., Thibodaux. (985) 446-7260.
BATEAUX DE BOIS FESTIVAL – May 12
The wooden boat festival features an alligator display, pirogue race, storytellers, museum tours, cultural demonstration, local vendors and music by Tet Dur and Gary T. Alligator sauce piquant, grillades and jambalaya are among the Cajun food offerings.
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., 202 Main St., Lockport. (985) 446-8440 or reti-jb@nicholls.edu.
“LOUISIANA AVIATION: AN EXTRAORDINARY HISTORY IN PHOTOGRAPHS” – May 12 Free
Author Vincent P. Caire and LSU Press celebrate the publication of “Louisiana Aviation: An Extraordinary History in Photographs.” Caire will discuss the nearly 200-picture book prior to a signing and reception, with light refreshments. Copies of the book will be available for purchase.
2 to 4 p.m., Wedell-Williams Memorial Aviation Museum, 118 Cotton Road, Patterson. (225) 578-8282 or erofls@lsu.edu.
THE COURIER PRESENTS THE TGMC 5K RUN FOR EXCELLENCE AND CAJUN FOOD FEST – May 12
Runners and revelers of all ages are invited to participate. The kid’s fun run begins at 5 p.m. and is followed by the annual 5K at 6 p.m. at the Houma Courthouse Square on Main Street. After the runs, the Terrebonne Foundation for Academic Excellence sponsors a Cajun food festival on Roussell, Belanger and Goode streets to promote their work and raise awareness of healthy bodies and healthy minds. Souled Out plays live from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Race fees range from $15 to $30. Non-race participation ranges from $5 to $25.
(985) 868-5881. www.tfae.org.
CAST FOR BREATH FISHING RODEO – May 12
The divisions are red fish 27 inches long and smaller, speckled trout, bass and bream. A Shimano reel is given to the first-place winner in each division. Festivities include a dee jay, live auction and food. Servings of white beans and jambalaya are included in the ticket price. All proceeds go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Bridge Side Marina, Grand Isle. The competition entry fee is $20. (985) 291-6046 or reedc@callaisofs.com.
THE FORVER MY LOVE MOTHER’S DAY BLOWOUT – May 12
Several rhythm and blues and soul performers take the stage on Mother’s Day to shower the audience with lovely vibes. Donell Jones and Olivia, known from VH1’s reality show “Love and Hip Hop,” share headlining duties. Kourtney Heart and B Streezy also perform, and D.J. Raj Smoove makes sure the party doesn’t lull. VIP packages range from $100 to $500, and the latter includes a private pre-party and ride in a limousine.
7 p.m. The Evergreen Center, 4964 W. Main St., Gray. $30 general admission. www.TicketWeb.com, www.ticketmaster.com, or (985) 665-4022.
LSU TIGER TOUR 2012 – May 15
LSU head football coach Les Miles and other guests trek to Thibodaux to talk Tiger sports with the area’s fans. Individual tickets cost $50, and a basic table of eight costs $350. Other table-of-eight deals cost $1,000 and $2,500. In addition to a dinner buffet and cash bar, door prizes will be given out, a trivia challenge hosted and items made available through a silent auction.
Warren J. Harang Auditorium, 310 N. Canal Blvd., Thibodaux. (225) 571-4627 or triparishtour@att.net.
RHYTHMS ON THE RIVER – May 18 FREE
Chubby Carrier performs.
6 to 9 p.m., Downtown Morgan City. (985) 384-9291.
JERRY CROCHET HORSESHOE PITCHING TOURNAMENT – May 19
Clang the sand pits’ stakes with some of the best around.
Kemper Williams Park, Patterson. (985) 385-3858.
HOUMA OILMAN’S FISHING INVITATIONAL – May 24-26
Headquarters are Harbor Light Marina in Cocodrie. For more information, contact Phyllis Landry (985) 223-3849.
JAMBALAYA FESTIVAL – May 24-27
One of the largest festivals in the state returns for a 44th consecutive year in Gonzales. Featuring live music, a car show, 5K and 1-mile runs, and carnival fun, the festival centers around a highly competitive jambalaya cook-off, with entrants vying for the title of “World Jambalaya Cooking Champ of Champs.” The festival garnered a Guinness World Record for the largest pot of jambalaya. Admission is free.
Gonzales Civic Center, 120 S. Irma Blvd. (225) 675-6550.
DOWNTOWN LIVE AFTER 5 – May 25 FREE
Bandit takes the stage at 7 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs.
5 to 10 p.m., Houma Courthouse, 7856 Main St. (985) 873-4608, www.houmamainstreet.org.
RHYTHMS ON THE RIVER – May 25 FREE
The Good Feelin Band performs.
6 to 9 p.m., Downtown Morgan City. (985) 384-9291.
WETLANDS ACADIAN CULTURAL CENTER SUMMER CAMPS – May 28 through June 22
The Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center hosts four weeklong summer camps for children between the ages of 6 and 12. Camp programs include outdoor activities, nature crafts, hands-on experiments, music, games and cultural explorations. The first camp, for children between the ages of 9 and 12, runs from May 28 to June 1. Registration costs $50, and spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
314 St. Mary St., Thibodaux. (985) 448-1375 or www.nps.gov/jela.
GHEEN’S BON MANGE’ FESTIVAL – June 1-3
Cajun food, carnival rides, music and dancing are on tap at the Vacherie-Gheens Community Center, where the community comes together as one to raise funds for the facility. No gate fee.
1783 La. Highway 654, Gheens. (985) 637-2189 or vgcc@yahoo.com.
MIGHTY KIDS TRIATHLON – June 3
Children between the ages of 3 and 14 are invited to run, swim and bike in the second-annual Mighty Kids Triathlon. Registration is $25 and closes May 25.
7:30 a.m., Bayou Black Recreation Center, 3688 Southdown Mandalay Road, Houma. (985) 209-7397.
The Thibodaux Firemen’s Fair begins May 3 at the Thibodaux Firemen’s Fairgrounds.
Olivia Longott, of VH1’s reality show “Love and Hip Hop,” shares the stage with Donell Jones at The Evergreen Center in Gray for a Mother’s Day “Blowout.”
