2019 Event Calendar
| February '19 | Description | Date | Time | Location | Cost |
| World War II Museum President to Speak as Part of Alumnus Anniversary Lecture Series | THIBODAUX, La. -- President and CEO of the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, Stephen Watson, will be on the Nicholls State University campus this week to discuss the role of the museum in delivering the lessons learned from the War to End All Wars. Watson’s discussion, titled “The Museum Behind the Story of the War that Changed the World,” is the latest installment of the Alumnus Anniversary Lecture Series celebrating Nicholls’ 70th anniversary. The event will be at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 20 in the Mary and Al Danos Theater. "Nicholls and the region are very fortunate to have a connection in Stephen Watson to such an important venue as the National World War II Museum in New Orleans,” said Dr. John Doucet, Alcee Fortier Distinguished Service Professor and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “We're thankful he's joining us to help celebrate our 70th anniversary." A native of Scotland who relocated to Louisiana in 1994, Watson earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Nicholls before joining WWNO public radio in New Orleans. He credits his grandfather, a Royal Air Force pilot in World War II, for sparking his interest in the international conflict. He joined the museum in 2002 and launched a highly successful national membership campaign that today includes over 150,000 members – the largest of any museum in the country. He was promoted to Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in 2007, Executive Vice President in 2014 and CEO in 2017. Watson received an honorary doctorate degree from Nicholls in December 2014. | 2/20 | 5:30 pm | Nicholls State University Mary & Al Danos Theater | Free Admission |
| Krewe of Hercules | Mardi Gras Parade 35th Anniversary Parade | 2/22 | 6:30pm | Southland Mall - Barrow Street | Free Admission |
| Krewe of Tee Caillou | Mardi Gras Parade | 2/23 | 12:00 pm | Chauvin | Free Admission |
| Krewe of Aquarius | Mardi Gras Parade | 2/23 | 6:30 pm | Houma | Free Admission |
| Krewe of T-Cajuns | Mardi Gras Parade | 2/23 | 12:00 pm | Larose | Free Admission |
| Krewe of Hyacinthians | Mardi Gras Parade | 2/24 | 12:00 pm | Houma | Free Admission |
| Krewe of Titans | Mardi Gras Parade | 2/24 | Follows Hyacinthians Parade | Houma | Free Admission |
| Krewe of Versailles Parade | Mardi Gras Parade | 2/24 | 12:00 pm | Larose | Free Admission |
| 43rd Annual Krewe of Venus Carnival Ball | R.S.V.P Angela Streams 985-447-2205 | 2/26 | 2:30 pm | Lafourche Home for the Aged 1002 Tiger Dr. Thibodaux |
| March '19 | Description | Date | Time | Location | Cost |
| 2019 Krewe of Pandas Parade | Parade starts on B Street, take a left at Mire Street, then a left onto E street, and we end the parade on Kenny Street. These streets encircle St Bernadette school. The whole parade usually lasts 30-45 minutes. | 3/1 | Lineup is from 11:30-12:00, parade rolls at 12:30 | Houma | Free Admission |
| Krewe of Aphrodite | Mardi Gras Parade | 3/1 | 6:30 pm | Houma | Free Admission |
| Krewe of Mardi Gras | Mardi Gras Parade | 3/2 | 6:30 pm | East Houma | Free Admission |
| Krewe of Terreanians | Mardi Gras Parade | 3/3 | 12:30 pm | Houma | Free Admission |
| Krewe of Montegut | Mardi Gras Parade | 3/3 | 2:00 pm | Montegut | Free Admission |
| Cleopatra Parade | Mardi Gras Parade | 3/4 | 6:30 pm | Houma | Free Admission |
| Krewe of Houmas | Mardi Gras Parade | 3/5 | 12:00 pm | Houma | Free Admission |
| Krewe of Kajuns | Mardi Gras Parade | 3/5 | Follows Houmas Parade | Houma | Free Admission |
| Krewe of Bonne Terre | Mardi Gras Parade | 3/5 | 4:00 pm | Houma | Free Admission |
| Choctaw Firemen's Fair | This fair is filled with fun for the whole family. Enjoy music, dancing, live auction, Cajun food, and a parade on Sunday. Friday, March 8 Kerry Thibodeaux: 6-7:30 pm Queen Crowning: 7:30-8 pm The Groove: 8 pm - 12 am Saturday, March 9 Tet Dur: 2-5 pm Will Cooper & Southern Groove: 5-8 pm Brad Sapia Band: 8 pm- 12 am Sunday, March 10 DJ: 12-1 pm Main Auction: 1-2 pm Ryan Foret & Foret Tradition: 2-6 pm | 3/8 - 3/10 | Choctaw Volunteer Fire Department's Fairgrounds 2854 Choctaw Road Thibodaux, LA 70301 | ||
| Terrebonne Parish Animal Shelter 5K-9 Walk/Run | 3/9 | 8:00 am - 1:00 pm | Next to Courtyard Marriott Liberty Drive Houma | $20 if Registered by March 1st $25 Registration Day of event $15 for 1/2 mile only registration by March 1st $20 for 1/2 mile registration on event day | |
| 16th annual Jambalaya Writers’ Conference | The Friends of the Terrebonne Parish Public Library announce the 16th annual Jambalaya Writers’ Conference, to be held on March 9, 2019. Writers from various literary backgrounds are scheduled to appear, including New York Times and USA Today romance writer Carolyn Brown, conference favorites David Middleton, Johnnie Bernhard, and Alys Arden, horror aficionado Dacre Stoker, WWL-TV news anchor Sheba Turk, suspense novelist Erica Spindler, and more. JWC promotes art with in the community, enriches creativity, and offers guidance to writers of all skill levels. Readers are also encouraged to attend. Mingle with some of your favorite authors, learn about the writing craft, and more at JWC 2019! | 3/9 | 6:00 pm | Terrebonne Parish Library 151 Liberty Drive Houma | $35 Earlybird $40 Door $10 w/ Student ID |
| Rape Aggression Defense Course for Women Slated for Cut Off in March | Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will host a Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) course on March 12, 13, and 14, 2019, at The Learning Center at Lady of the Sea Hospital, located at 200 West 134th Place in Cut Off. This self-defense course is designed exclusively for women and will take place over the course of all three days. The class will begin at 6 p.m. and end around 9 p.m. each day. Participants must attend all three days. Course instruction will be provided by certified R.A.D. instructors from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office. The cost of the course is $10 to cover the cost of course materials. Class size is limited, and advance registration is required. You can register online here: www.LPSO.net/RADsignup. Payment cannot be made through the online sign-up form, but the fee must be pre-paid and is non-refundable. Please send payment by mail, along with your name, address, and phone number to Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, Attn: Captain Lafate Day, 1300 Lynn Street, Thibodaux, LA 70301. Please make checks payable to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office. The deadline to register for the class is Friday, March 8, 2018, at 11 a.m. For more information, please contact Captain Lafate Day at (985) 449-4485 or by email at lafate-day@lpso.net. | 3/12 3/13 3/14 | The Learning Center at Lady of the Sea Hospital, located at 200 West 134th Place in Cut Off | $10 | |
| Downtown Art Walks | Thibodaux Main Street will be hosting a Downtown Arts Walk featuring businesses in the downtown area with art displays and local musicians. | 3/15 | 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Downtown Thibodaux | Free Admission |
| 2019 SOLA Men’s Conference | The 2019 SOLA Men’s Conference is set for March 15-16, 2019 at FBC Houma. Once again, we will enjoy a wonderful time of Christian worship, men’s fellowship, faith, music, and, of course, great food. The theme for the 2019 conference is “Stand in the Gap,” taken from Ezekiel 22:30, which reads “I searched for a man among them who would repair the wall and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land so that I might not destroy it, but I found no one.” Three main preaching sessions, two breakout session periods (see attached list of breakout topics and speakers), music, food and great door prizes. Also, the conference program will be capped off with a fantastic, not-to-be-missed panel discussion facilitated by Tony Perkins! Pastalaya dinner begins the conference at 5:00 Friday, light breakfast at 7:30 Saturday, and a Cajun boiled shrimp dinner will conclude the conference. Door Prizes: Some very cool items! Accommodations: Special Conference Rate at Homewood Suites by Hilton, 142 Citiplace Drive, Houma. Attendees can book online (click here), or by calling into the hotel directly at (985) 262-0145 to get the discounted rate of: $79.00 plus applicable taxes per night for a KING BED STUDIO SUITE and $89.00 plus applicable taxes per night for KING BED 1 BEDROOM SUITE. When calling, simply and mention the group name "SOLA Men's Conference" to reserve your rooms. | 3/15 3/16 | Friday 5:00 pm Saturday 7:30 am | First Baptist Church Houma, 4863 West Park Avenue, Houma, LA | $55 |
| 2nd Annual NightLight Dash | The Foundation for TGMC has partnered with Cardiovascular Institute of the South and Terrebonne General Medical Center to bring to our community the 2nd Annual NightLight Dash. This family friendly, GLOW 5K fun run is an illuminated course that starts and finishes behind TGMC. Proceeds from this event will be dedicated to free cardiac screenings, which are the best way to create awareness, increase prevention and assist in early diagnosis of various types of cardiovascular disease. Registration will open at 5pm, the race will start at 6pm and end with a finish line festival. We will have a DJ, free beer, drinks and food for race participants and prizes for top competitors. www.runsignup.com/nightlightdash2019 | 3/16 | 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM | 8166 Main Street Houma | N/A |
| St. Patrick's Day on the Bayou | Friends of Bayou Lafourche is proud to sponsor St. Patrick’s Day on the Bayou. The event will include a series of paddle races followed by a social area with food & drink vendors, and live music. https://bayoulafourche.org/st-patricks-day-on-the-bayou/ | 3/16 | 11:30 AM Hwy LA 1 Closed to Traffic (Stage Setup, Food Vendors Setup) 2:30 pm Gates Open to Public 3:00 pm 1 Mile Race/Paddle 3:30 pm Russ Cheramie Begins 4:00 pm 3 Mile Race/Paddle 5:30 pm Cardboard Boat Dashes Begins 5:30 pm Russ Cheramie Finishes 6:15 pm Soul Survivors Begins/Cardboard Boat Finishes 7:30 pm Main Band Break/Race Awards 10:00 pm Soul Survivors Finishes | Downtown Thibodaux Along LA 1 | |
| United Houma Nation 11th Annual Celebrating Abilities Powwow | 3/16 & 3/17 | 3/16 10:00 am - 9:00 pm 3/17 11:00 am - 4:00 pm | The Event Center 200 Moffet Rd Houma | Free Admission | |
| Haiti Mission 10th Annual Golf Tournament/Silent Auction | http://www.haitimissioninc.com/ | 3/18 | Shotgun starts at 8:00 am & 1:00 pm | Ellendale Country Club | |
| 2nd Annual Big Bayou Trivia Bash. | Nicholls State University invites you to test your wit on all things South Louisiana in the second annual Big Bayou Trivia Bash. The second edition of the College of Arts and Sciences fundraiser will be Friday, March 22 at 6 p.m. in the newly renovated Cotillion Ballroom in the Bollinger Student Union. Proceeds will be used for scholarships, student technology upgrades and to support high-impact learning practices.
"Trivia contests are always fun, exciting and instructional experiences,” said Dr. John Doucet, Alcee Fortier Distinguished Service Professor and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “We work hard to make our contest special and entertaining for participants because the ultimate goal – what's most important – is helping our students at Nicholls become more successful graduates." Teams of six can sign up at $30 per individual for a chance to win cash or consolation prizes.
Teams will compete against one another in answering 10 categories of questions, including History, Sports, Entertainment and Louisiana. Additionally, the evening of fun will include some special brain buster challenges, which are more complicated questions for extra points . During the event, individuals may also bid on donated silent auction items including rare books and sports items. To sign up, call 985-448-4386 or trivia@nicholls.edu. | 3/22 | 6:00 pm | Cotillion Ballroom in the Bollinger Student Unio | |
Roux for a Reason (Early Cancer Detection) Gumbo Cookoff |
| 3/23 | 11:00—11:30 All cooking teams will receive numbered cups, lids for judges’ samples. 12:00 All cooking teams to have Judges Samples turned in. 12:00—12:30 Open to public. 1:00—4:00 Entertainment performs. 4:00 Gumbo cook-off & raffle winners announced. | Southdown Plantation | |
| Haven Spring Gala | With Spring fast approaching, The Haven’s Board of Directors is busy planning our annual Spring Gala “Home is Where the Heart Is”, presented by Watkins, CPA. This event ensures that families have access to safe, emergency shelter where they can seek refuge 24-hours a day to escape the atrocity of abuse at the hands of a loved one. Reaching our goal of raising $120,000 would ensure that The Haven can continue to provide critical, lifesaving services to battered women and their children. Rae Boudreaux, event chair, and the remaining members of the Board of Directors invite you to join them for a special evening of food, spirits, music, and spirited auctioning all while ensuring that abused women and children have a place to turn for safety and an opportunity for a new beginning. There are so many ways that you can get involved in the event. Please consider joining us to raise the necessary funds to continue our mission of providing a safe, abuse-free home by purchasing a ticket or sponsorship to the event or making a monetary contribution. Love to cook - become a celebrity chef and serve up your best dish to the 500 guests at the event. Donations to the silent, live and gourmet-to- go auctions are a great way to support the event and raise funds for our shelter program. So, mark your calendars for Saturday, March 30, 2019 and plan to join us at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center. Doors open at 6:30 pm. For more information on donating to the event, purchasing sponsorships or tickets contact Julie Pellegrin at 872-0757. | 3/30 | 6:30 pm | Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center 346 Civic Center Blvd, Houma, LA 70360 | 2019 Haven Spring Gala Platinum Sponsorship* $7,500.00 2019 Haven Spring Gala Gold Sponsorship* ?$5,000.00 2019 Haven Spring Gala Silver Sponsorship* ?$2,500.00 2019 Haven Spring Gala Bronze Sponsorship* $1,000.00 2019 Haven Spring Gala Patron Sponsorship* $500.00 2019 Haven Spring Gala Ticket ?$65.00 |
| Irish Italian Parade | Non-members can attend breakfast and the bash: Advance tickets for breakfast and bash for $20 - Breakfast $10 & Bash $10 At door - Breakfast $10 & Bash $15 (Both cost you $25 at door) *No Parking in Cannata's parking lot section nearest store front - Parking in front area of both Shopping Centers The membership dues for 2019 will remain $200 per adult and $100 per child, Corporate Sponsor Floats available to accommodate 14-16 people beginning at $2,800, Super Floats will be based on number of riders each paying their individual dues. Membership dues include Ride, Religious Service, Breakfast and Bash | 3/31 |
Religious Service - 9:45am - Breakfast 10 - 11 am Be on Floats at 11:30am Parade rolls from Westside Blvd to Civic Center between 12:30 - 1:00pm Bash at Civic Center with Food, Set-ups, and Entertainment from 3 to 7:00pm | Houma |
| April '19 | Description | Date | Time | Location | Cost |
| Houma Louisiana Wedding Expo | houmaciviccenter.com/weddingexpo | 4/2 | 6:00 pm | Houma Terrebonne Civic Center | $10 |
| Sixth Annual Art Works Fundraiser to Feature Famous Artist and Artwork | THIBODAUX, La. -- Nicholls State University invites you to spend a night celebrating the arts at the popular annual fundraiser, Art Works, from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2 in Talbot Hall. The event will include tours of the studios, interactive learning experiences, a silent auction featuring one-of-a-kind artwork, live painting from a renowned Louisiana artist, an exhibit of local artists’ work, complimentary hors-d'oeuvres and a cash bar. “I love Art Works because it’s more than just a fundraiser, it’s an event where our alumni, students, faculty, staff and the community come together to support our students and the arts” Jean Donegan, art department head. In the lobby of the Mary and Al Danos Theater, guests can peruse the “Bon Temps” exhibit, featuring unique hand-painted birdhouses, garden posts and framed mirrors. Each item was created by alumni, faculty, students and local artists and designers and will be auctioned off during the night. Louisiana’s premier folk artist Alvin Batiste will be on-hand and painting live during the event. The Donaldsonville artist has produced more than 8,000 paintings, many of which are on display in museums and galleries throughout the world, and was once commissioned by actor and musician Billy Bob Thornton to create the album cover for his debut record. For those with an interest in arts, Nicholls art students and faculty will be on hand to show you tips and tricks to elevate your skills. Hands-on activities, such as using a potter’s wheel and creating hand-colored photographs, and demonstrations will take place throughout the night. New this year, a printing demonstration will take place in the parking lot using a steamroller. Among the artwork on display will be the famous, 105-year old “Blue Dog Steinway” created by renowned artist George Rodrigue. Housed at the Sheraton New Orleans, the piano often tours the country to raise awareness about the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts and has been played by Billy Joel, Allen Toussaint, Ellis Marsalis Jr., Irvin Mayfield, Dr. John and many more. For the second year in a row, artwork will be available for bid online. Supporters unable to attend the event can still bid on many of the items for auction by signing up at nicholls.edu/artworks. | 4/2 | 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Nicholls State University - Talbot Hall | Tickets are $50 per person and all proceeds are put back into the department in the form of scholarships, student exhibits and grants sending students to regional and national conferences. Last year’s event raised a record $30,000.
Tickets will go on sale Monday, February 25 and can be ordered by calling 448-457 or visiting nicholls.edu/artworks. |
| Chauvin Folk Art Festival & Blessing of the Fleet | Free and Open to the Public
For more information: Dr. Gary LaFleur (985)594-2546 | 4/7 | 10:00 am | Kenny Hill Sculpture Garden and Nicholls Art Studio-- 5337 Bayouside Dr. Chauvin, LA 70344 | Free Admission |
| Southdown Spring Marketplace Arts & Craft Festival | Southdown Marketplace is a one-day arts & crafts festival that features more than 300 local and national vendors with unique hand-made products including jewelry, clothing, wood crafts, original art, garden items, seasonal products and more. | 4/13 | 8:00 am - 4:00 pm | Southdown Plantation | $5 Kids 12 & Under are Free |
| 44th Annual Over & Under Tunnel Run | 4/13 | 2:30 pm | 880 Verret St, Houma, LA 70360, USA | ||
| Lockport Food Festival | This festival is known as the swamp pop extravaganza of Louisiana's Cajun Bayou. Features music, dancing, Cajun food, and carnival rides. | 4/26 - 4/28 | 4484 Highway 1, Raceland, LA 70394 | ||
| Laurel Valley Spring Festival | Features and arts & crafts show with cultural demonstrations including antique engines and boat building. Kids can feed farm animals. Food and drinks will be available. | 4/28 | 595 Highway 308, Thibodaux, LA 70301 |