New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend

There are a few local fairs and festivals this weekend that look to be fun. First is the Plaquemines Parish Seafood Festival in Belle Chasse. This one is free for 12 and under - just $5 for adults, and the proceeds benefit local charities and fishermen affected by the BP oil spill.

Also this weekend is the Greek Festival at the Hellenic Cultural Center. This is also a $5 admission, with kids 12 and under getting in free. Enjoy all things Greek: food, music, dancing, and art!

Hungry for some crawfish before the season ends? Head over to Washington Square Park for the New Orleans String Project crawfish boil on Saturday from noon until 6pm. Enjoy crafts, music, kids' games and activities, and of course some delicious crawfish! All proceeds from the crawfish sales will benefit the New Orleans String Project.

From 10am to 2pm, check out the free Square and Compass Child Safety and Health Fair at the Kenner Pavilion. Teach your kids about safety, and check out the Fire House courtesy of the Kenner Fire Department!

New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend

Looking for something to do this weekend and not looking to spend too much? Check out these free and frugal events happening in the New Orleans area this weekend:

If you're heading to the East, check out the Town of Pearl River Family Fest. The Fest will be held from 10am to 10pm, Saturday, and it's family-friendly, nonalcoholic, and free! Plenty of events are scheduled, including great music, a "water world" for the kids, train rides and carnival rides, and fireworks at 8:30pm.

Closer to home is ReFest - a festival on Saturday promoting the newly designated ReUse District in town. Head to ReFest to learn more about using recycled materials in your everyday life. ReFest is coinciding with the Elysian Fleas market, where you can find great local food, arts, and crafts.

From 9am to 4pm on Saturday, head over to the Symphony Book Fair to pick up some books, music, or art to benefit the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.

Speaking of books, as part of Children's Book Week, several children's authors will be on hand at Tale of Two Sisters Bookstore in Metairie to sign their works this weekend. On Saturday, Skipper Jenkins will be signing "Which Way is Which?" from 10am to noon; Cornell P. Landry will sign "Happy Jazz Fest" and "Goodnight NOLA" (one of our house favorites!) from 11am to 1pm. On Sunday, Pat Roig and Joanne Mehrtens will sign their works, including "Counting on the Neutral Ground" from 2-4pm.

On Sunday, once again Target is providing free admission to everyone at the Louisiana Children's Museum.

Have an incredible weekend!

What to Do on Wednesday?

You don't have to wait for the weekend to find plenty of things to do around here.

The Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus clowns will be at three of the branches of the New Orleans Public library on Wednesday to help celebrate Children's Book Week. Check here for locations and times.

From 4:30pm to 8:30pm, head over to Lakeview for the Harrison Avenue Marketplace, which offers food, drink, and plenty of kid-friendly activities.

The New Orleans Museum of Art is open late on Wednesday, and remember, admission is free to all visitors thanks to the Helis Foundation.

Looking to enjoy some great music? Head down to Lafayette Square for the latest installment of the YLC Wednesday at the Square series. The lineup this Wednesday? The Dirty Dozen Brass Band (yay!) and Happy Jack Frequency.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

It's May 5th - "Cinco de Mayo"! If you're looking for something to do tonight, here are a few ideas:

YLC Wednesday at the Square - performing tonight are Junco Partners + Billy Iuso & The Restless Natives

New Orleans Museum of Art - free admission Wednesday

Tomatillo's Cinco de Mayo Block Party - free block party from 5:30pm to 11pm with music (Rockin' Dopsie Jr., DJ G, and Hot Down South), face painting, and great Mexican food!

Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!

Monday's Events

Monday marks the end of an error, I mean era, and beginning of a new one with the swearing in of the next New Orleans mayor Mitch Landrieu. To celebrate his swearing in, from 11:30am to 3pm in Lafayette Square the Celebrate New Orleans Festival will have complimentary food and drinks and plenty of great music (weather permitting). Please bring some non-perishable foods to donate to Second Harvest Food Bank if you attend!

Also Monday, from 4:30pm to 6:30pm at the University of New Orleans, children's poet laureate Mary Ann Hoberman will be reading from and discussing her works (which include The Llama Who Had No Pajama) and will sign books afterwards. This event is free but reservations are recommended by emailing paustin@uno.edu

Have a great Monday!