Renaissance Festival, North Gate Fest on tap for weekend

Go back in time this weekend, as the Louisiana Renaissance Festival opens Saturday in Hammond. With knights, jousters, jugglers and queens, you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into the pages of an Elizabethan novel. Browse the booths for cool and funky crafts, like swords and chain mail, and chow down on faire food. Watch blacksmiths and glassblowers ply their trades and join the Queen’s Parade around the lake. There are ten acres of acts, activities and fun things to explore. But for a cool weekend experience closer to home, block this block party into your schedule: At 4 p.m. Friday, the annual North Gate Fest on Chimes Street kicks off. the Chimes Street Art Market—a big hit at last year’s festival—will feature booths with paintings, jewelry and crafts from LSU students and local artists. From 6 to 11 p.m., the street will rock with live music from the John Madere Trio, Givers and Ashes of Babylon. Join in the “Fun Run” through campus that starts at 6 p.m., or just chill with some beer and grub from local joints like Louie’s and the Chimes. For more events to make your weekend great, read 225 Select by clicking here.