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Louisiana Festival Roundup
Louisiana has so many awesome festivals, it’s hard to pick which ones to go to! Here are our top picks for the best upcoming LA festivals. Whether you’re looking for good food, good music, or just a good time, we’ve got you covered!
Crawfish Festival – Beaux Bridge, May 3rd
Held in the “Crawfish Capital of the World,” The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival is an annual festival held to promote the crawfish industry in Louisiana and the culture of Cajun Country.
The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival has also been featured in documentaries by CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, The Food Channel, and PBS. It has been featured in Maxim Magazine, Southern Living, National Geographic, The New York Times, Country Cooking, Motorhome Living, and Better Homes and Garden publications. The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival was named a top 10 Food Festival by USA Today. [http://www.bbcrawfest.com/about_us.html]
Cochon de Lait – Mansura, May 10th
The Cochon de Lait Festival is held annually on the second weekend in May in Mansura, Louisiana. Mansura is the Cochon de Lait capital of the world. The festival mixes great Cajun food, good times and Louisiana music with the famous cochon de lait (French for roast suckling pig). There is plenty to see and do for an entire family to “pass a good time.” [http://www.cochondelaitfestival.com/index.html]
Greek Festival – Baton Rouge, May 11th
The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Baton Rouge wants you to join them in a celebration of Greek culture, entertainment and cuisine at the 2nd Annual Baton Rouge Greek Festival in Downtown Baton Rouge on Saturday, May 11, 2013, at the Town Square festival venue. Festival goers will dine on Greek food cooked by members of the Church, using authentic Greek recipes. A Greek band, “Alpha Omega Sound,” from Atlanta, GA will provide live entertainment and visitors will learn traditional Greek dances. The Holy Trinity Greek Dancers from New Orleans will also perform throughout the day. An assortment of beverages, Greek pastries, Mediterranean arts and crafts, clothing, jewelry, religious icons, festival T-shirts and a festival poster will be available for purchase. [http://brgreekfest.com]
Bayou Boogaloo – New Orleans, May 17th
The 8th Annual Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo Festival that will be held Friday May 17 – Sunday May 19, 2013 along the banks of historic and beautiful Bayou St. John. As always the Festival is a family-friendly event with a kid’s stage, along with games and activities for children. Attendees can partake in delicious food, spirits and libations, listen to great local music, and enjoy the very best art that New Orleans has to offer. [http://www.thebayouboogaloo.com]
Jambalaya Festival – Gonzales, May 23rd
The Jambalaya Festival Association, chartered in 1967, invites you to mark your calendar for the 46th annual Jambalaya festival to be held in Gonzales, Louisiana on Memorial Day Weekend, May 23 – 26, 2013. Your whole family will enjoy the vast variety of food, fun, music and activities that have made the Jambalaya Festival the can’t miss highlight of the year.
The festival features World Champion Jambalaya served daily, live music and entertainment, carnival rides, cooking contests, a variety of food and so much fun it takes four days to get it all in. [http://www.jambalayafestival.org]
NOLA Food and Wine Experience – New Orleans, May 24th
Over the past 20 years the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience has raised more than $1 million for non-profit organizations right here in our community, while showcasing local food and chefs, and national and international wines. We invite you to raise a glass and be a part of the festivities as we make New Orleans a better place to live, work and play. This year in an effort to fight hunger and support culinary education, the 2013 beneficiaries will share 100% of the proceeds. Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana will receive 40% and the following will share the remaining 60%: the Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation’s ProStart Program, Delgado Culinary Arts School, New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts’ Culinary Program, the John Folse Culinary Institute and the Edible Schoolyard New Orleans. [http://www.nowfe.com]
Cajun Heartland State Fair – Lafayette, May 23rd – June 2nd
The 25th Annual Cajun Heartland State Fair scheduled May 23 – June 2, 2013 will provide the best in family entertainment for children of all ages. North American Midway Entertainment will have numerous super rides such as the giant Ferris wheel, Crazy Mouse and the Mega Drop! Games, free concerts and free attractions will entertain everyone. Prizes and surprises await everyone at the Cajun Heartland State Fair. [http://www.cajundome.com/chsf.aspx]
Spontaneous Combustion Event Held at The Stockade
There are plenty of local venues where cultural aficionados can experience live music, but there are few venues that allow art-lovers to experience live art. Spontaneous Combustion, an art event that pairs local musicians and artists, is here to fill that gap.
This painting of The Stockade’s side patio was painted by Alex Harvie and TJ Black at our recent Spontaneous Combustion event
Recently, the Stockade Bed and Breakfast hosted a Spontaneous Combustion event. A small audience gathered to watch as musicians improvised on drums, guitar, and harp while artists painted to the beat.
While Joel Willson, the event’s organizer, performed on the violin alongside his fellow musicians, painters Janene Grodesky and Alex Harvie mimicked the band’s rhythms with their brushstrokes.
“The night was an interesting mix of fun and creativity, and I really felt like a part of the art that was taking place through music and painting,” said David Benedetto, an LSU senior who attended the event.
Spontaneous Combustion was founded by Daniel Willson, his brother Joel Willson, and their friend, Ben Herrington. Spontaneous Combustion has been performing together for the past three years at various local venues. The group’s mission is to spread the love of art in the Greater Baton Rouge community — a mission that we fully support here at The Stockade!
Highland Nights
The Highland Road Merchants Association will sponsor HIGHLAND NIGHTS, a group open house, on Friday, November 9th from 6 to 9 p.m. The event will feature local artists at each participating merchant, along with food, fun, music, and shopping. More than twenty merchants will open their places of business for this special evening on Highland Road. A shuttle will be available to ferry guests from business to business during the evening.
Here at The Stockade, six local Baton Rouge artists will showcase their work. Becky Nash, Jeana Esser, Emily Bowers, Janene M. Grodesky, and Ashley Cornejo will display and sell their one-of-a-kind pieces. The artwork ranges from wheel-thrown pottery and handcrafted jewelry to acrylic paintings and mixed media works. There will also be musical entertainment and refreshments.
Other Participating Highland Nights Merchants:
- Aesthetic Dentistry Group
- Bustle
- Bienville Antiques & Framing
- Frameworks Gallery
- Gabriella Rothschild’s
- Iberia Bank
- Jenn Ocken Photography
- Johnny’s Pizza
- Lamps & Lighting by Design
- Lux Salon
- Mathernes Supermarket
- Max Fitness
- Momentum Fitness
- Peregrin’s Florist
- Poise ‘N Ivy
- Quantum Express/Heirloom Awards
- Sanctuary Home & Gifts
- Solitaire Salon
- Southern Embellishments
- Subway
- The Stockade Bed & Breakfast
- The Wellness Studio
- Yoga Bliss
This event is free of charge and open to the public. Event inquiries may be directed to Rozlan Fransen at 225 769 0582
or Janice DeLerno at 225-281-7358.
Local LBBA members attend innkeeping conference in Mississippi
Representing Louisiana, LBBA (Louisiana Bed & Breakfast Association) members Janice DeLerno, Lori and Paul Worrell, Lois Rodrigue, along with members of the Mississippi Bed and Breakfast Association (BBAM) attended the annual southern conference in Jackson. National Association PAII (Professional Association of Innkeepers International) president Jay Karen was in attendance and spoke on current innkeeping trends and discussed the “Better Way to Stay” campaign. Mr. Karen specifically addressed the topic “What the New Market of Guests Want from You and What You Can Do to Deliver.” The conference’s itinerary also included workshops for the aspiring innkeeper, focus groups discussing the importance of social media for your business, industry and business development programs, and even a silent auction and grand prize giveaway.
Pictured above from left: Ron Fry (BBAM president), parents of Jay Karen, Jay Karen (PAII president), Janice DeLerno (LBBA president), Lois Rodrigue and Paul Worrell (LBBA members)
Pictured above: members of the Mississippi and Louisiana Bed and Breakfast Associations.
Pictured above: Mr. Jay Karen
Pictured above from left: LBBA president Janice DeLerno, and LBBA members Paul and Lori Worrell, and Lois Rodrigue
The Art is Melting!
Forum 35′s annual Art Melt will take place in downtown Baton Rouge on Saturday, July 14th from 5 to 10 PM. This is the largest multi-media, juried art exhibition in the state of Louisiana! Forum 35 has been sponsoring this event for 9 years now to promote Louisiana resident artists.
Great street party with lots of art, food, beverage and entertainment. Baton Rouge knows how to support the arts and Forum 35 knows how to support Baton Rouge.
All artwork accepted to the competition will hang in the Shaw Center downtown gallery and remain up and open to the public for 4 weeks following the event.
Stay at The Stockade Bed & Breakfast when you come to see the art. All guest rooms, as well as the common areas, feature original Louisiana art.
Thanks Forum 35!
Viva la France!
This weekend on July 14th, celebrate Bastille Day! It is the French equivalent of our Independence Day which Americans celebrate on July 4th. Technically, it is French National Day, commemorating the 1790 Fete de la Federation, held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on July 15th, 1789. Many celebrations will be held throughout France and all over the world, including our very own Louisiana
So, if you can’t spend it in Gay Paris, celebrate right here in Baton Rouge at one of our French Creole restaurants. Or, if you prefer to immerse yourself in a French community celebration, try Breaux Bridge and the fun-loving Cafe des Amis restaurant.
Ask for the special Bastille Day Package at The Stockade in Baton Rouge, and spend a relaxing night in one of the charming guest rooms.
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YWCA March Madness Book Exchange
YWCA hosts the March Madness Book Exchange!
On Monday, March 5th from 5:30 in the evening until 7:00 at The Stockade on Highland Road, the YWCA invites the public to enjoy the Annual Book Exchange.
Midst food and spirits and good company, you can buy or exchange books for as little as 50 cents or 1 dollar.
Proceeds benefit the programs of the YWCA, including Early-Head Start, Center for Family Empowerment, Encoreplus, Racial Justice Dialogues, and Youth and Teen Services
Bowl Baton Rouge
Love bowling? You’re in luck, the USBC Open Championship is starting this Saturday in Baton Rouge!
100,000 visitors consisting of 60,000 bowlers and their guests will roll into the Baton Rouge area February 11 through July 9, 2012: an average of 900 bowlers plus guests every day for 151 days!
This is the second time that the United States Bowling Congress has sponsored the annual bowling tournament in Baton Rouge. They enjoyed it so much in 2005 that they’ve come back to sample our fabulo
us Southern hospitality again. They will be bowling in the River Center in Downtown Baton Rouge on one of the 48 newly constructed professional bowling lanes. The competition runs 7 days a week from 7am til 3am and is open to the public. Come check it out!
The Stockade Bed & Breakfast welcomes back some of our guests from the 2005 tournament and looks forward to greeting new friends as they come to Baton Rouge for this event. Let us help you plan your total vacation get-away with visits to nearby plantations, swamp tours, golfing, restaurants and more.
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