A few free area events this weekend

On Thursday and Friday, the New Orleans Saints will hold their practices on the outdoor field at their Metairie training facility on Airline Drive http://www.neworleanssaints.com/Home.aspx. Thursday's practice is from 3:20pm to 5:45pm, and on Friday it's from 8:50am to 11am. From past experience, if you want a good view of the action, get there early. Players and coaches may be available after practice for autographs... good luck!

On August 7-9, Disney's A Christmas Carol Train Tour will be stopping at Riverview in Audubon Park http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/christmascaroltraintour/. This is a free event that showcases Disney's upcoming movie "A Christmas Carol" directed by Robert Zemeckis, and has been traveling across the country since Memorial Day. According to the media kit for the train tour, each stop will include a train station with Christmas decorations, Christmas carolers, and snow! I can't wait to see how they pull THAT off in August in New Orleans!

Also this weekend is the Pennington Balloon Championship in Baton Rouge http://www.laballooning.com/. This is a hot air balloon competition and exhibition that will feature a children's village, live entertainment, the US Army Black Daggers parachute team, and of course hot air balloons!

Get out there and have (free) fun before school starts!