For many of us, we have a three-day weekend to plan (insert meme here). Labor Day honors workers with a paid Monday off, and I honor hospitality workers without the day off with extra gratuity. The following are some ideas to fill your days.
Saints Preseason Home Game
Kick off your Labor Day weekend with the true harbinger of autumn, Saints football. The last preseason game is Thursday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome against those boys in aqua and orange, the Miami Dolphins.
There are no tickets available through the Saints box office, but websites such as StubHub have tickets starting at $6. Tickets can be found here. With ticket prices that low you may actually be able to afford to buy food and beverages from the concession stands. Remember to review the stadium rules about clear bags and metal detectors before you go.
Louisiana Children’s Museum (LCM)
The Louisiana Children’s Museum’s (LCM)grand opening of its new City Park location is Saturday, Aug. 31. Be among the first to explore the new exhibits and take a photo in front of the fog installation outside.
LCM is offering free admission on opening day, but as of publication of this blog, tickets for Saturday are sold out. They are still available for Sunday and Monday, but you must purchase tickets in advance. Tickets are timed, with specific entry times. General admission for adults and children over 12 months is $14, and seniors and active military are $12 with valid ID.
Cool Zoo
You know summer is really winding down when the Audubon Cool Zoo water park is closing. Your last chance to float along the 750-foot lazy river or lounge in a cabana for 2019 is Monday, Sept. 2. The Cool Zoo is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the weekend and tickets an extra $10 for members and $12 for non-members on top of Audubon Zoo entry. Combined tickets for adults are $29.95, children are $24.93 and seniors are $26.95..
Randy Rainbow Live
For fans of political satire, a special live taping of Emmy-nominated Randy Rainbow (his real name y’all) will take place on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 8 p.m. at the Fillmore New Orleans inside Harrah’s Casino. Rainbow is known for his biting humor and song-filled viral videos. A veteran of Broadway and cabaret, Rainbow is as experienced in front of a live audience as he is in front of a digital camera.
Lobby doors will open at 6 p.m. and the music hall doors will open at 7 p.m. Unlike most of the shows at the Fillmore, this is a fully seated event, so tickets for groups of people should be purchased together.
Southern Decadence
Is it really Labor Day weekend in New Orleans if you don’t see a hairy man wearing a thong bikini walking in the French Quarter? While that might occur any day of the year, this weekend is Southern Decadence, thus increasing the likelihood and population density of fabulous folks.
For over 40 years, Southern Decadence has celebrated the LGBTQ community through various parties and brunches, culminating in the not-to-be-missed Grand Marshal Parade. The walking parade rolls on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 2 p.m. from the Golden Lantern Bar at 1239 Royal St. It will meander through the French Quarter with stops at bars along the way, ultimately disbanding at Bourbon St. and St. Philip St.
Freedom Fest at the Lake
If country music is your thing, head to Kenner on Sunday, Sept. 1 for the third annual Freedom Fest at the Lake. The free festival is located at the foot of Williams Blvd. in Kenner with beautiful views of Lake Pontchartrain. Food and beverage from local vendors will be for sale starting at 3:30 p.m. when the gates open. Performers include Jenna Hunts at 4:30 p.m., John Schneider at 5:15 p.m., High Valley at 6:15 p.m. and superstar Clint Black at 7:45 p.m.
