New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend

There are so many free and frugal events this weekend in the New Orleans area, it's enough to make your head spin!

Are you ready for some football? Practice, anyway. If so, head out to the Saints practice facility in Metairie where you can ogle the beautiful Lombardy trophy and watch our beloved Saints in an outdoor minicamp practice! The trophy will be on display at 1:30 pm Friday, and practice will start at 3pm (gates to the field open at 2:15pm). The trophy will again be on display 8:30am Saturday before practice at 10:15am (gates open at 9:15am).

Show your support for local oyster harvesters by attending the first ever New Orleans Oyster Festival this weekend in the French Quarter. This free festival runs Saturday (11am to 7pm) and Sunday (11am to 6pm) and in addition to great music features an oyster eating contest, largest oyster contest, and a kids' root beer float eating contest! Some of the best restaurants in the area will be on hand to sell you some delicious oyster dishes, so go hungry and eat up! Proceeds from the festival will go to "Save Our Coast".

Another way to help our coast is to head to Kenner to the Back to the Beach Festival, which also benefits Save Our Coast. Beginning Friday at 6pm, the festival runs through Sunday and features great music, food, and a car show and motorcycle rally. The cost is $10 for adults and $4 for kids, but members of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation (which is $50 for a family for a year) get free admission - and admission to the Patron Party in a few weeks.

Want to learn how to dance like a cajun? On Saturday, head over to Maison on Frenchman for a Cajun/Country Fais Do-Do! Dance lessons begin at 3:30pm, and the bands start to play at 4pm. Admission is free, children are welcome, and food is available for purchase.

Bring your little artists over to the Alex Beard Studio on Saturday from 10am to 12 noon to draw and paint with artist and author Alex Beard. The event is free, but you need to RSVP by calling 504-539-9616. Sponsored by the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, refreshments will be served.

Also on Saturday, support the Success Preparatory Academy on Bienville Street at their Success Fest 2010! From 3pm to 7pm, enjoy food, music, a waterslide, and space walk. Admission is free, but the school will accept donations if you want to donate!

Do your kids enjoy the Amusement Park and Storyland at City Park? Friday night from 7-10pm is the kickoff party for the new summer hours at the park. Admission is free, but ride tickets/bracelets cost extra. Enjoy storytelling, games and prizes, face painting, and a DJ for your entertainment.

And don't forget Librarypalooza on Saturday at the East Bank Regional Library!

So, as you can see, there is simply NO reason to be sitting at home this weekend - make it a great one!