If you’re not familiar with Baton Rouge, this weekend is a good time to get acquainted. Here’s why.

The first football game.

Nothing makes lasting bonds like cheering on the Tigers in their first fall season game. Die hard fans have had a “countdown to football” since last year. Whether you choose a house party or sports bar, try to take an hour out of your weekend to bleed a little purple and gold (not literally of course). Consider it a warm-up for the first home football game on Sept. 18.

First Sundays Free.

Believe it or not, there is more to Baton Rouge than LSU. Several downtown exhibits and museums offer free admission on the first Sunday of every month: the LSU Museum of Art, the Louisiana Art and Science Museum, the Old State Capitol (it’s that thing that looks like a castle), the USS Kidd, and the Louisiana State Museum. A little art and history give Baton Rouge a whole new dimension.

So welcome and welcome  back. Hope you plan to enjoy this city as much as I do.

Delicious Cuisine – You go girl!
Indulge in a delectable snack at Strand’s Café, serving coffee, tea, French pastries and chocolates! For lunch, visit the Main Street Market that features gift shops and several eateries to satisfy every visitor. Enjoy refreshments like a true Southern Belle in Plantation Country. Experience the savory taste of Louisiana cuisine with dinner at Houmas House or take advantage of Nottoway Plantation’s Bed and Breakfast offer, salon and restaurant at the South’s largest plantation home. Wrap up your day with “Girl’s night out” time at the Wine Loft, downtown, or at Tsunami in the Shaw Center for the Arts, which overlooks the “Mighty” Mississippi River.

A Culture Like No Other:
Travel through our storied political history at Louisiana’s “Castle on the River,” the Old State Capitol. Don’t miss their brand-new interactive exhibit on Sarah Morgan, the ghost of the Old State Capitol. Also, visit the Old Governor’s Mansion to see how legendary Governor Huey P. Long designed his home to look just like the White House. For a glimpse of Louisiana history through the eyes of a female plantation overseer, visit Laura: A Creole Plantation for their guided tour. Don’t forget to hit the fabulous gift shops at each attraction!

Shopaholic s Welcome!
No girls’ vacation would be complete without a shopping adventure, so be sure to check out one of our premier shopping malls! Begin your shopping tour at the Mall of Louisiana, Baton Rouge’s 1.6 million square foot enclosed mall. You’ll enjoy shopping at 175 retail stores, including Ann Taylor, Macy’s, Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Coach, Caché, Sephora and Borders. Also, visit Perkins Rowe, a unique residential and shopping village, housing retailers such as Urban Outfitters, Z Gallerie, Barnes and Noble, BCBG, J. Crew and White House/ Black Market. Don’t forget to visit Towne Center at Cedar Lodge to shop in a relaxed and charming open-air marketplace. For localized boutique shopping, visit Mignon Faget and Pierre Crawdeaux.

Need a Little “Me” Time?
After all this shopping, treat yourself to a manicure and pedicure at Bumble Lane Spa or mix up your own bath scrub at Bath Junkie located in Towne Center! Create your own unique bath and beauty products with Elizabeth from Handmade at Homestead at the location of your choice. Elizabeth uses Louisiana goods such as cane sugar and red beans in her products. Visit the Manship Theatre, downtown for unique wellness classes or an evening performance. For an exceptional culinary experience at a unique spice boutique, visit Red Stick Spice for a hands-on cooking class. After dinner, pick up some wine and make you way to Corks and Canvas to paint your own masterpiece. You’re sure to enjoy this artistic social event!

First-Hand Experiences:
After all this shopping, treat yourself to a manicure and pedicure at the Bumble Lane Spa located in Towne Center! Come back to your hotel to experience beauty products the Baton Rouge way, with a demonstration from Elizabeth from Handmade at Homestead. Elizabeth creates bath products before your eyes, using Louisiana goods such as cane sugar and red beans. Each visitor will also have a chance to create her own unique scrub or soap. Visit the Manship Theatre, downtown for unique wellness classes! For an exceptional culinary experience at a unique spice and wine boutique, visit Red Stick Spice for a hands-on cooking class. After dinner, pick up some wine and make you way to Corks and Canvas to paint your own masterpiece. You’re sure to enjoy this artistic social event!

Summit Entertainment’s THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN will be filmed in both Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Vancouver over the next year starting this fall. The next chapter of THE TWILIGHT SAGA will be released as two separate films with the first of the two slated to be released in theatres on November 18, 2011.

Academy Award® winner Bill Condon will direct both films starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner along with Billy Burke as Charlie Swan as well as returning members of the Cullen Family including Peter Facinelli as Carlisle, Elizabeth Reaser as Esme, Jackson Rathbone as Jasper, Nikki Reed as Rosalie, Ashley Greene as Alice and Kellan Lutz as Emmett.

The project, based on the fourth novel in author Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series, is currently being written by Melissa Rosenberg with Wyck Godfrey, Karen Rosenfelt and Stephenie Meyer producing.

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN illuminates the secrets and mysteries of this spellbinding romantic epic that has entranced millions.

The third film in the franchise, THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE, is currently in theatres.

About the TWILIGHT SAGA film series
The TWILIGHT SAGA film series stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson and tells the story of 17-year-old Bella Swan who moves to the small town of Forks, Washington to live with her father, and becomes drawn to Edward Cullen, a pale, mysterious classmate who seems determined to push her away. But neither can deny the attraction that pulls them together…even when Edward confides that he and his family are vampires. The action-packed, modern day vampire love story TWILIGHT, the first film in the series, was released in theatres on November 21, 2008 to a blockbuster reception. The second installment of the film franchise, THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON was released November 20, 2009. The franchise has grossed over $1.4 billion in worldwide box office ticket sales to date.

About Summit Entertainment, LLC
Summit Entertainment, LLC is a worldwide theatrical motion picture development, financing, production and distribution studio. The studio handles all aspects of marketing and distribution for both its own internally developed motion pictures as well as acquired pictures. Summit Entertainment, LLC also represents international sales for both its own slate and third party product. Summit Entertainment, LLC releases on average 10 to 12 films annually.

Start the day off by touring the USS KIDD from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. The vessel and the Veterans Memorial Museum are exciting historical venues that proudly represent the sacrifices made by our nation’s veterans to ensure the freedoms we celebrate on this special day. Stick around after your tour for live musical performances by Louisiana native bands and performers such as the Chris LeBlanc Band and Westbound Train. Between 6:10 and 6:30, enjoy an F-15 Eagle Fighters fly-over of the Louisiana Air National Guard and an air raid reenactment when the USS KIDD goes under attack by a vintage World War II aircraft. This reenactment can be viewed from the riverfront adjacent to the Main Stage around 6 p.m. The Baton Rouge Concert Band will play a medley of patriotic classics beginning at 8 p.m. and lasting until the spectacular fireworks display at 9 p.m.

No ice chests, grills or pets are allowed on the festival grounds, but don’t worry, several vendors will serve beverages and food including, Louisiana cuisine, hamburgers and funnel cakes. Also, the LSU Museum of Art will hold their Fourth of July fundraiser this Sunday from 6-10 p.m. Enjoy delicious BBQ and specialty drinks and experience the fireworks on the Mississippi from the best view in the city. To purchase tickets, call 225-389-7212.  

Hilton Hotel guests can also get in on all the action and attend a private pool party to watch the fireworks. Tickets may be purchased at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center.

When you’re ready to cool off this summer, check out ice skating at the River Center from July 2-18!

Marybeth W. – Snowballs at “The Sneaux Shack” off Jefferson Highway on Inniswold Road!

Alyson B. – Stay inside and wait for the afternoon rain to cool things off.

Eve V. – Go swimming!!!!

Terence T. – Blue Bayou

Nicole H. – Old State Capitol!

Emily B. – Play in the sprinklers

Susan F. – Drink Bloody Marys

Kelly M. – Plan as many indoor activities as possible as well as lots of activities on or near water (skiing, boat riding, etc)!

Rebekka S. – There are A LOT of daiquiri bars in Baton Rouge…

Karen C. – Tour the Old State Capital, go to the casino, go swimming!

On Memorial Day weekend, our city hosted Bayou Country Superfest, a two day country music festival that drew crowds of more than 85,000 people from 47 states, Canada and Europe.  Attendees, many of them first time visitors, are emailing daily to share positive experiences in our city.  This week, we will welcome families from across the Southeast for the US Youth Soccer Region 3 Tournament. 

The culture of our region remains intact, complimented by the resilient spirit of Louisianans.  Our shopping centers, museums, plantation homes and historic and political attractions are all welcoming visitors.  The Baton Rouge Zoo has opened new exhibits and Blue Bayou & Dixie Landin’, the largest water park in the region, is open and serving families daily.  Our restaurants are open and still serving Louisiana seafood.  Visitors should be ensured that all seafood from our region has always and will continue to be tested by appropriate agencies before reaching restaurant tables and the seafood market.  For detailed information on the impact of the spill on the seafood industry, visit www.louisianaseafood.com or www.louisianaseafoodnews.com.

For questions or further comment, please contact Theresa Overby, Director of Communications at theresa@visitbatonrouge.com or 225-382-3578.

Tickets are still available to the big show, so grab your boots and hat and come on down to the Red Stick and see all of country music’s biggest stars in LSU’s Tiger Stadium!  Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Kellie Pickler, Kenny Chesney and Brooks and Dunn.  What’re you waiting for?

More on #BCSFest tomorrow!

Here’s one recipe for Corn Macque Choux!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup margarine/butter; 1 cups of onion, small diced; 1/2 cup bell pepper, small diced; 1 ribs celery, small diced; 2 cups frozen corn kernels; 1 teaspoon Tony Chachere’s; 1 tablespoon dried parsley; 1 tablespoon granulated garlic; 1 cup tomato, peeled, seeded and diced small.

Directions

• In a large sauce pot melt the margarine and add the onion, bell peppers and celery. Cook until onion is translucent.
• Add corn and cook for 5 minutes.
• Add the spices and mix well.
• Simmer corn mixture for 10 minutes.
• Add to tomato and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Adjust seasonings to taste.

 Have you ever tried Corn Macque Choux? How does your recipe differ?

Tyree Neal 12:30pm – 1:15 pm @The Roux House; Janiva Magness 2:00pm – 3:15 pm @The Roux House; Sonny Landreth 3:00pm – 4:15pm @Boudreaux & Thibodeaux’s; Tony Joe White 6:00pm – 7:15 pm @Boudreaux & Thibodeaux; Ruthie Foster 4:30pm – 6:00 pm @The Manship Theatre Black Box and finally Chris Thomas King 6:30pm – 7:45pm @The Manship Theatre Black Box.  All shows will remain FREE CONCERTS!!!

Put on your shrimp boots and join us for the fun!!

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