Memorial Day weekend is prime time for a getaway, but there are plenty of reasons to stay in Baton Rouge this time around.
If you’re not setting off on a vacation, here are some things to enjoy right at home. And, of course, many of them involve delicious food.
Movies & Music on the Lawn
Baton Rouge Gallery’s summer film series Movies & Music on the Lawn kicks off this month at BREC’s City Park. The series, which pairs dozens of iconic silent films with live, original scores from some of the top local, contemporary bands, features a showing of The Adventures of Prince Achmed with music from Righteous Buddha this Friday, May 27, at 8 p.m. Sit back, relax and enjoy some popcorn as you watch a classic movie as you’ve never seen it before. Admission is $7. Check out our story about this season of the event here.
|
|
|
Guy’s Grocery Games Viewing Party
What’s better than guilty pleasure cooking competition shows? Chef Eusebio Gongora, City Pork Brasserie and Bar’s director of culinary operations, will showcase his culinary skills in a special grilling edition of the Guy Fieri-led Food Network show Guy’s Grocery Games. Help cheer him on at City Pork’s viewing party for the episode, which is set to air on Sunday, May 29, at 7 p.m.
Jambalaya Festival
If you’re staying in town this weekend, the Jambalaya Festival is a must. The 49th annual Jambalaya Festival in Gonzales begins Thursday, May 26, 5-10 p.m. and continues through Sunday, May 29. Don’t miss out on a carnival, cooking contests, live music, a 5K and 1-mile fun run and, of course, delicious jambalaya. Check out our story about the festival here.
Bayou Country Superfest
Tiger Stadium’s annual Bayou Country Superfest arrives May 27 and continues through May 29, and with headliners like Darius Rucker, Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean, it’s going to be a good one. Get out early and enjoy the full LSU tailgating experience outside the stadium with food, fun and plenty of country music to tide you over until the shows start. Purchase tickets here.
Pups and Pasta
In partnership with Friends of the Animals Baton Rouge, this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. DiGiulio Brothers Italian Cafe is hosting an event featuring two of the best things on Earth: puppies and pasta.
At the Pups and Pasta Benefit Brunch, there will be some adoptable dogs, hand-selected wine for purchase to benefit rescue dogs and a DiGiulio’s brunch. All proceeds from the wine sold at the brunch will be donated to Friends of the Animals Baton Rouge.
Red Stick Farmers Market
Summer is fast approaching, and it’s time to get healthy in mind, body and spirit. This can all start with a trip to this Saturday’s Red Stick Farmers Market for some fresh early summer produce from local farmers and much more.
From 8 a.m. to noon, the Main Street Market on 5th and Main streets will be full of ripe and juicy fruits, veggies, meats and other local products.
PechaKucha Night
Ever wonder what it would be like if people only had seconds to explain what they’re all about? Well, wonder no more. PechaKucha Night, an experience in the art of concise presentations, will make its Baton Rouge debut Friday, May 27, at 7 p.m. at the Firehouse Museum in the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge.
Participants must get creative in delivering their ideas, as they will only have 400 seconds to present them. The Baton Rouge lineup will feature recognizable locals, including former Food Network star and chef Jay Ducote and Manship Theatre dancer and choreographer Mina Estrada. Admission is $6.
Celebrate the true meaning of Memorial Day
At 225 Dine, sometimes we can get a little caught up in food-centric events. So much so that in the original version of this article, we left out some important Memorial Day events in Baton Rouge. The upcoming long weekend means so much more than barbecues and an extra day off to many veterans, Gold Star families and members of the Baton Rouge community.
To honor those who died while serving our country, join the Blue Star Mothers of Louisiana as they host a Memorial Day Flag Planting at the Louisiana State Capitol Friday, May 27, at 9 a.m. The green grass in front of the capitol will be overtaken by a sea of red, white and blue as the grounds are transformed by 11,000 flags.
On Monday, May 30, at 10 a.m., the USS KIDD Veterans Museum is sponsoring a Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony. The event, held in the Louisiana Memorial Plaza at 305 South River Road, is free and open to the public.
Cap off the weekend with the Annual Memorial Day Concert downtown on Monday, May 30, at 7 p.m. The Baton Rouge Concert Band will take the stage at North Boulevard Town Square to honor those who sacrificed their lives for our country.
Quick trips
If want to get out of town without straying too far, here are some nearby events about an hour away:
|
|
|
New Orleans Greek Festival
This Memorial Day weekend is your chance to immerse yourself in culture at a big fat Greek festival. Beginning May 27 and ending May 29, the 2016 New Orleans Greek Festival features homemade traditional Greek food and wine, live traditional Greek dancing and music and plenty more festivities. Admission is $7.
New Orleans Wine and Food Experience
From May 26-29, New Orleans will showcase what it does best at the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience. This year, the premier culinary event that attracts thousands of food and wine connoisseurs will also feature Baton Rouge chefs Celeste Gill and Scott Varnedoe at its Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off.
Cajun Heartland State Fair in Lafayette
The Cajun Heartland State Fair has it all, from a giant Ferris wheels to giant hot dogs. From May 26 to June 5, enjoy rides, games, food and all manner of family entertainment at the Cajundome’s 28th Annual Cajun Heartland State Fair.