A Really, Really Free Market

It's been said nothing in life is free, but on Saturday you can find a plethora of really, really free items at the Really Really Free Market. On Saturday, October 2nd from 12pm - 6pm, head to the NOLA Art House located at 1614 Esplanade Ave in New Orleans to search through others' discarded treasures. A Really Really Free Market is essentially a citywide potluck of usable items, skills and many other things that we as a community can come together and share. "Really Really Free" means no money is exchanged, everything is 100% free. All are welcome. Individuals are required to transport their own selections; minimal loading assistance will be available. All items not selected will be donated to Bridge House. Further information can be obtained by emailing nolafreemarket@gmail.com.

New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend

Once again we're heavy into fall fair season!  This weekend there's no shortage of free and fun things to do with your family in the New Orleans area, and the weather looks like it will be perfect for enjoying the outdoors. 

On Friday night at 7pm, the Barnes and Noble in Metairie will host a story and craft time.  Bring the family and  make a fish bowl craft after listening to the story "Memoirs of a Goldfish" by Devin Scillian.   At the Westbank Barnes and Noble on Saturday at 7pm, enjoy a reading of "The Very Best Pumpkin" by Mark Kimball Moulton and color pumpkins afterward.

Not to be outdone, Borders will be hosting their very own kids' event this weekend.  At 11am on Saturday, celebrate Olivia the pig's newest adventure, "Olivia Goes to Venice", at both the Metairie and Uptown locations.

Saturday from 9am until noon, head to your local Home Depot for the latest installment of the Home Depot Kids Workshop.  This weekend, bring your 5-12 year old(s) and make a wooden fireboat.

The St. Ann Family Fest will open on Friday and run through Sunday.  Friday night, eat hot tamales while dancing to the Bucktown Allstars.  Saturday's lineup will be BBQ ribs with Bag O'Donuts!  Sunday, take it easy with Shrimp Alfredo and Pierce Penniless.  Admission is free.

Also this weekend (Friday and Saturday) will be the St. Philip Neri Oktoberfest at St. Philip Neri school in Metairie.  Friday night is adults only, with a German Biergarten, food, and music.  Saturday, bring the family for rides, games, music, and a pumpkin patch.

Finally, on Saturday from 12 to 6pm, browse the Really Really Free Market at the NOLA Art House on Esplanade.  Leave your wallet at home - everything in this market is 100% free!  See here for more details.

Have a wonderful weekend!

New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend

If you happen to be on the north shore this weekend, head over to the Louisiana Gator Fest in Mandeville for plenty of children's activities, music, and of course, alligator dishes!

While you're up that way, bring the kids to the Firehouse Concert at Fire District 12 (19375 LA 36, Covington) at noon on Saturday.  Christian Serpas will perform, and there will be fire safety demonstrations and kids' activities.

Back on the south shore, at 11am Saturday, bring the kids to Borders (in Metairie or Uptown) for games and stories promoting the new PBS Kids series The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That!

If you're child is a member of the Simon Kidgits Club, head over to Esplanade Mall in Kenner for the Groovy '60s Party.  Enjoy games and activities with a '60s theme from 1-3pm.  Yearly Kidgits memberships are only $5.

Take advantage of free admission at the Louisiana Children's Museum on Sunday, courtesy of Target.  The museum will be open from noon until 4:30pm.

Have a wonderful weekend!

New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend

Here are a few free, family-friendly events happening around town this weekend:

To commemorate the 9th anniversary of 9/11, the Marine Corps band will be performing in a free concert Saturday at St. Louis Cathedral.  Doors open at 5pm and the concert is scheduled to begin at 6pm.  Admission is free but there is limited seating on a first come, first served basis.

Also downtown this weekend is the New Orleans Seafood Festival at Lafayette Square.  Enjoy local seafood and music from 11am throughout the day and evening.  Admission is free but proceeds from food and drink sales will benefit the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation.

At 10am on Saturday, author Whitney Stewart will sign her children's book Marshall the Sea Dog at Maple Street Book Shop.  Children will also be treated to a demonstration of a simulated sea rescue at the event.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Saints Season Opener!

Thursday marks the first game of the 2010-11 NFL season, and the first Saints game!  The Saints and the NFL have put together a couple of events to help herald in the new season, so even if you don't have tickets to the game (like me), you can still partake in the festivities!

A huge stage has been set up downtown for the kickoff party and concerts.  If you want to try to snag passes to the free Dave Matthews and Taylor Swift concerts, head here to sign up.  I'm not sure if tickets are still available, but the sign up page is still working.  The concerts will run at the same time as the parade (which will pause in front of the stage), but you'll have to arrive much earlier to get your passes and get in place.

At 5pm, a Mardi Gras-style parade, the Krewe of NFL Kickoff, will begin at Esplanade Avenue and will run down N. Peters and end at Tchoupitoulas and Julia.  Expect to see many former NFL stars, including many former Saints players, on the floats!

Whether you are in the French Quarter in the midst of the celebration, or in the comfort of your own home, let's all cheer on the Saints and make it TWO DAT!

Happy Birthday, Aquarium!

If you're looking for a fun and family-friendly way to enjoy Labor Day, the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is open and celebrating their 20th birthday!  Open from 10am to 5pm on Monday, the celebration will include face painting, live music, a scavenger hunt, and of course, birthday cake!  Admission is included if you're an Audubon Institute member.