With rain in the forecast on Saturday, here are the events happening where you can stay dry and have fun (and a few you won’t mind wearing your rain gear for)!
Friday, January 26
Lafreniere Park, 3000 Downs Blvd., Metairie.
The 2nd Annual River Bend BBQ Festival will feature six live bands, over 50 barbecue competitors, many food vendors, beer and soft drinks sales. 4-10 pm. Continues Saturday, January 27 from 10 am-8 pm.
Saturday, January 27
Longue Vue House and Gardens, 7 Bamboo Rd.
Open your toddler’s eyes to the wonders of the natural world though tactile & positive learning experiences in the Discovery Garden. Unwind and grow as you and your little Sprout investigate plants, animals, crafts, stories, and songs that foster holistic early childhood development! $5/nonmember participant, free for members. No pre-registration required. Members are required to show their Family Level Membership card to gain free admission. This is a SHINE only event. For more information, email or call 504.293.4719. 9:30-10:30 am.
Lakeview Regional Medical Center, 95 Judge Tanner Blvd., Covington
Lakeview Regional Medical Center, in collaboration with the Junior League of Greater Covington, will host a Girls’ Health Day. The theme “Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be You,” incorporates the topics of girl’s health issues, self-esteem, healthy eating, fitness, puberty & changes to expect, ways to prevent bullying, and social media/internet safety tips. Local physicians will provide free health screenings like vision screening, hearing tests, BMI measurements and blood pressure assessments. “Be a doctor for the day” come experience the Di Vinci Robot, limited number of spots to perform simulated surgical activity using the surgical robot. This event will take place at in the Pelican Room in the Magnolia and Main Entrance Lobby. This event is free. Click here to register. 9:30 am-12:30 pm.
New Orleans Museum of Art, One Collins C. Diboll Circle, City Park.
Spark imagination, creativity, and a love of reading. Professional authors, actors, and artists bring the world of children’s literature to NOMA in this family program. Family activities are offered after each StoryQuest to encourage museum exploration. Ideal for ages 2-7. No registration is necessary. StoryQuest is included with museum admission. 11 am.
YAYA Arts Center, 3322 LaSalle St.
Bring the family to celebrate carnival season at the YAYA Arts Center. Decorate masks, create funky bead mosaics, get your face painted, and remember to bring a cereal box or shoebox to make a parade float! We will also have opportunities to make your very own Mardi Gras glass doubloon! Make 1 glass doubloon for $10 or 3 for $25. All other crafts are free! Please RSVP to timeka@yayainc.org, or call 504.529.3306. 11 am-2 pm.
World War II Museum, US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center, 945 Magazine St.
All levels of Boy and Cub Scouts and their families are invited to join The National WWII Museum’s annual Cub/Boy Scout Day. The day is designed for Scouts to tour the Museum’s exhibits, explore the history and lessons of D-Day, and participate in special presentations and activities just for them. Special pricing for scouts in uniform is available throughout the day. To register, email your troop information including the number of boys attending to baylie.albus@nationalww2museum.org. Cost: Uniformed Cub/Boy Scouts—FREE; Non-Scout Children—$5/child; Adults with Cub/Boy Scouts—$10. 10 am-2 pm.
Mercedes-Benz Superdome, 1500 Sugar Bowl Dr.
Tons of soaring, smashing action featuring 12-foot tall, 10,000-pound monster trucks! For more information and to purchase tickets, visit monsterjam.com. Gates open at 5:30 pm, show begins at 7 pm.
Sunday, January 28
Champions Square, LaSalle St.
Ochsner Medical Center presents the 5th Annual King Cake Festival – a celebration benefiting babies and children at Ochsner. Taste king cakes from the area’s finest bakeries, enjoy live music and support pediatric programs. 10 am-4 pm.
Jewish Community Day School, Goldring Woldenberg Jewish Community Campus, 3747 West Esplanade Ave., Metairie.
Celebrate Tu b’Shevat! Partner agencies and synagogues across Greater New Orleans, including Shir Chadash Conservative Synagogue, JCC Nursery School and JCC Metairie, Jewish Family Service, PJ Library/JCRS, Torah Academy, and Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans will celebrate Tu B’Shevat with environmental, Bal Tashchit themed activities for your family to engage in together. Families who attend are invited to give tzeddaka to support Louisiana Coastal Restoration and/or Jewish National Fund. Noon-2 pm.
Metairie.
The Krewe of Little Rascals is America’s longest-running, most flamboyant children’s Mardi Gras krewe in Carnival history. Named after the famous group of kids from TV and film, the Krewe of Little Rascals is a youth-oriented pre-Mardi-Gras ball and parade that patterns itself after adult Carnival clubs. The organization promotes leadership, self-esteem and fellowship among its pint-sized participants. The Krewe of Little Rascals parade will start at the corner of Eldorado Street and Woodlawn Ave., continue east to Houma Blvd., where it will turn north. At Veterans Memorial Blvd., the parade will turn east (on the west bound lane). The parade follows Veterans all the way down to the intersection of Martin Behman Ave. and Veterans, where the parade will end. Noon.
Pearl River, LA.
The Krewe of Pearl River Lions Club supports the Pearl River Lions Club, a group that provides eye care for those who qualify. This beloved day parade in Pearl River is a family affair and the whole town comes out to celebrate together. The krewe rolls with up to 15 floats, the Pearl River High School Band, dance groups, cheerleaders, local clubs, and families. The Parade begins at Pearl River High School, continues south on Highway 41, turns left at the light onto Hwy. 11 and ends at the Pearl River Town Hall on Willis Alley. 1 pm.