This fest is always a good time. I grew up in Hammond and this is one of the few close by events…read morewe'd go to almost every year. Fast forward many years and it's bigger and better than ever. You have jousting, falconry, mead, and so many amazing costumes. People truly go all out. Now they even have a thing where you can sign up for side quests where it's kind of like a scavenger hunt to find and document certain things. Haven't tried that yet, but sounds like a blast. Also, they have axe throwing and I'm pretty good at it.

Kids will love it and so will the Cosplay crowd. For the rest of us, it's just great people…read morewatching..

Parade was loads of fun, small hometown feel, everyone was smiling. Then we went to the "fair"…read moresection. People were packed shoulder to shoulder, with no police presence anywhere, rip-off aggressive carney games, and crazy overpriced carnival food like $20 elephant ears, with a handful of vendors charging French Market at Mardi Gras prices for arts and crafts. Not to mention $30 "half flats" that were less than half that down the road at Rouses from the same exact farms. This is after we paid $20 to park. I'm all for supporting local, but when you're crammed in like sardines and you're paying close to $200 for carnival food (there were a few exceptions of good food) it's a hard PASS for us. There were TWO sh--tings - thankfully after we left. Love the people of Ponchatoula, but we'll avoid the festival in the future.

Lots to eat! Many different music stages to enjoy. Get there early and bring a chair to sit in…read more Lots of people, so if you don't like crowds , this one isn't for you.

What a lovely refurbished old downtown theater!…read more Loved the downtown location. Loved the comfy seats. Loved the great acoustics! I was in Hammond for a chorale performance and this theater was a perfect location. The sound was good. The location was great (park in nearby lots or on the street). The restrooms were spacious. Wish I could have gotten their earlier to eat at one of the area restaurants.

The Columbia is a wonderful vintage mini movie palace similar to the Orpheum, Saenger and Loew;s…read moreState theaters of my ill spent youth. (The great movie palaces of N.O. were all in business when I was a kid in the late 50s and most of the 60s. )The Peerless Magnarc lamp houses and RCA Simplex projectors have been removed from the old projection booth, but one is still on display in the lobby. I have attended about a dozen productions at the Columbia, and only had one real problem, i.e. the balcony. I was told by a employee that I might be too tall to fit up there, but I did not listen to her advice. (I spent the entire show with my legs sticking out into the isle.) If you are tall, the balcony is not for you. Parking is not an issue. Spaces are available on the street or in the nearby parking lots.

This year is the first inaugural Pirates of the Pontchartrain Festival. This is basically Pirate…read moreWeekend of the Renaissance Festival turned into its own standalone festival. This is a good idea, putting the Renaissance Festival grounds to use rather then being more or less empty most of the year. And the timing was good too: I'd just finished the waiting period after my 2nd Moderns vaccine shot and was ready to get out of the house and do something fun. First, let's address the elephant in the room though. 2021 is both their inaugural year and the tail end of a pandemic. And I think there are other similar festivals going on in other parts of the country. This means that attendance was low, both in regards to vendors and visitors. I'd say at least a quarter of the vendors were closed, there were no lines, and very few crowds. The ticket booths were also closed; you had to buy your festival tickets online. However, I still had fun. There were enough shows to fill a whole day and still miss some. I particularly liked Swash & Buckle's comedy show and The Bilge Pumps' comedy band. There were several yummy food options and a lot of interesting merchandise. Aside from watching shows, I got my hair braided, took a picture holding a parrot, and bought some souvenirs. I also ate gumbolaya and Dole "whip" ice cream, which cost $12; a good deal for festival food, especially considering I couldn't finish the gumbolaya. Thankfully the vendor gave me some aluminum foil so I could bring the rest home. For total newbies - ie haven't been to Renaissance Festival either - some tips: cash is king. Wear comfortable shoes and prepare for a LOT of walking. Bring sunscreen. Do NOT bring animals unless truly necessary as they may spook/aggravate show animals. Weekends are April 17-18 and April 24-25. Buy tickets online at https://www.lapop.net/

Ponchatoula is a quaint little town in Tangipahoa Parish…read more Yearly they host the "world famous" strawberry festival. Personally I can't stand the festival, but the town is pretty cool. In the old downtown area there are at least 5-10 full fledged antique shops. The shops are somewhat near one another so you can park and walk to all of them without moving your car. There are several rail cars on display and there is a cage in the middle of town with an alligator. I'm not sure of the significance, but not many towns can claim a live gator in the middle of town. Ponchatoula is a cool place to visit. It would be worth the drive from New Orleans or Baton Rouge for a nice day trip.

The warmth of the people brings an airiness of light and love that is unparalleled by any other…read morecommunity! The local flavor is spicy, sweet, and a whole bunch of umami bringing this town to the top of the must visit list!

I am so grateful to have found Denise. I first sought her assistance with a 'The Answer You Seek'…read morereading to locate a lost item. I did a Horary reading/chart, and with her guidance, I recovered it within 24 hours! I later consulted her regarding an item that was lost over a year ago. She was upfront and honest about the likelihood of recovery, and I found her insights to be amazingly accurate. Everything she shared truly resonated with me, and I look forward to working with her again.

I first worked with Denise in 2023 for a natal chart and year-ahead reading--and I immediately knew…read morethat she would be in my astrological corner for the long term, if I could help it. I actually found myself wishing I had booked with her sooner! That session was affirming, and it gave me some great insights and clarity about what I was navigating at the time and where I was headed. I really appreciate Denise's warmth, passion, and presence. In 2024, I began her Quarterly Compass Series, and it's been one of the best decisions I've made. I rave about it to my friends, or sometimes it comes up casually when I'm talking to others. As casually as you'd say, my doctor, my mechanic, and so on, lol. As a high-achieving woman balancing a creative career, professional milestones, and significant life shifts, I realized I needed regular guidance that could support timing and my vision. Each quarterly session feels grounding, expansive, and practical. Denise is incredibly knowledgeable about astrology and delivers information in a way that's both accessible and relevant to my life. I always leave our sessions with clear, actionable guidance, which is helpful given the type of person I am. I especially love that she highlights significant or auspicious dates that I can plan around or keep in mind. One of the most powerful outcomes of our work has been the clarity I've gained around timing--when to act, when to rest, and how to trust the unfolding of my path. With her support, I've made major decisions in my creative work and career with more confidence, alignment, and ease. I plan to renew this series with her each year. It helps me show up in the world more intentionally and strategically. If you're a high-achiever seeking more clarity, alignment, and a deeper relationship with yourself, divine timing, and your purpose, I highly recommend working with Denise.

Poor technique taught at lower levels. To say that my child has a grasp of proper technique would…read morebe a bold faced lie. She has been attending for a year now. I would think she would at least know some. Tons of costs that you are not told about upfront. If you want your child to be in the recital, prepare to spend hundreds on top of the costumes and tuition. There is ALWAYS something new that is "mandatory" and expensive. They say it is all in the packet you get when you register, but I read that packet cover to cover several times and either I was missing a page, or this is just not so. Classes are canceled and not made up nearly once per month. You are not reimbursed or have any tuition deduction for these missed days. Some higher level classes will get a make up day. Some. You cannot watch your child practice either. At first, I thought that was because this was a start up sort of place, but no. They have been doing this for over 20 years and still cannot put in 2 way window/mirrors so you can watch your child. There is also not adequate seating. If you want to stay and wait for your child to finish, be prepared to stand or sit on the floor. Also note, you will want to bring your child already in their dance clothes as the only changing room available is their only bathroom. In the year I have been bringing my daughter, someone has always been in that bathroom. So I hope you and your child have an empty bladder too.

A Touch of Class is a wonderful dance studio! The teachers truly love children. Ms. Lori is the…read morebest. She turned my shy daughter into an amazing dancer who isn't afraid to dance on stage. They make dance so fun and my daughter has learned so much technique!