
The NOLA Gold will hit the road for a showdown against the Houston SaberCats on Saturday, April 19, 2025, beginning at 7:00 PM CT. The matchup against Houston is expected to be an intense one, with both squads vying for playoff positioning as the MLR season heats up. Fans can catch all of tonight's action live on the Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment Network (Cox Cable Channel 10) and ESPN+, or follow along in real time through NOLA Gold Rugby’s social media channels and official website. After their trip to Houston, NOLA Gold will return home to the Shrine on Airline for a matchup against the Seattle Seawolves on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 3:00 PM CT. Tickets for upcoming home matches are available now at nolagoldrugby.com.

The 2025 Crescent City Classic will take place this Saturday, April 19th starting at 8 a.m. The Classic is the New Orleans and Gulf South's premier 10k road race, and one of the oldest 10k races in the nation. This Easter weekend tradition along with Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest, is one of New Orleans signature events. Every year, over 20,000 people gather in Downtown New Orleans for an event that attracts everyone from international elite athletes to those who walk the entire route carrying cocktails or wearing bunny suits. Young, old, fit and not so, the Crescent City Classic is the most fun you can have over 6.2 miles. For over 40 years, it has combined world class competition, amateur participation and great fun for all participants. Starting in 1979 with 902 participants, the Crescent City Classic has grown to become the preeminent fitness event in Louisiana. All CCC events are produced by the Crescent City Classic Foundation, a not-for-profit entity whose sole purpose is to promote health, fitness, and a better lifestyle for the people of the New Orleans metropolitan area. The “Run For It” Program is the Official Charity Program of the Crescent City Classic. The goal of the “Run For It” Program is to raise $1 million annually and serve the Greater New Orleans area. Each year, the Crescent City Classic Foundation selects local charities to support and partner with for the 10k race. No matter who crosses the finish line first, everyone wins! For more information about the Crescent City Classic and to register for the race, please visit www.ccc10k.com

The 40th annual French Quarter Easter Parade will roll this Sunday, April 20 at 1 p.m. in New Orleans. The historic Easter parade was originally named after Chris Owens, the iconic Bourbon Street entertainer. Every year, Owens presided over the parade until her passing in 2022. The parade will begin at the corner of St. Louis and Royal in front of Omni Royal Orleans Hotel, turning right on Bourbon to Gov. Nicholls Street to Decatur, and conclude on St. Louis and Royal at the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel. The parade will be complete with colorful floats, marching bands, beads, Easter trinkets, and plenty of eager revelers. In addition to the Easter parade and celebrations, there will also be a silent auction, music, and hat contest held at the Omni Royal Orleans Grand Ballroom, starting at 11 a.m. The silent auction helps raise money to support music education in New Orleans. Following the parade, the fun will continue with a champagne brunch and live music by David Cook and The Yat Pack. For more information on the parade and silent auction, please visit www.frenchquartereasterparade.com

The Zurich Classic swings into New Orleans on April 21 through April 27, 2025. Established in 1958, the Zurich Classic is a professional golf tournament that is held in Louisiana on the PGA Tour, at TPC Louisiana in Avondale. The Fore!Kids Foundation hosts the Zurich Classic to help raise money to fund various children’s service organizations. Since it was established in 1958, Fore!Kids has raised over $45 million through golf events – like the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the Golf Ball Gala, a kids’ summer junior tour, and several charitable golf tournaments to help provide healthcare, education and hope for over 200,000 children each year. Individual day tickets are $45 and all-inclusive tickets "Best of the Zurich Classic" are $185. All tickets to the Zurich Classic are via mobile entry only. Children 15 and under are admitted free at the front gate with a ticketed adult. Public p arking is $20 per day. For more details, please visit https://zurichgolfclassic.com/

This year's Hogs for the Cause in New Orleans was one of the best yet. The two-day sold-out event held on April 4th and 5th raised a record-shattering $5.25 million to help fight pediatric brain cancer. The new record surpasses last year's $4.3 million raised. Becker Hall, CEO and Co-Founder of Hogs for the Cause said, "I’m amazed by the monumental generosity and compassion of our fans, teams, sponsors, and staff. The amount of good we will achieve with these funds is staggering. I want to thank everyone who made this possible. Thank you.” Founded in 2009, Hogs for the Cause has become the premier nationwide source of funding for families with children fighting pediatric brain cancer through the amazing efforts of their teams and fans. They work with both local and national children’s hospitals, including Children’s Hospital of New Orleans, Ochsner Hospital for Children, Duke Children’s Hospital, Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Children’s Hospital, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, and Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, to offer monetary relief to families with children who have brain cancer. To learn more about Hogs for the Cause or to donate, please visit https://hogsfest.org/

Back for its 53rd year, the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival will be held on Friday, April 11 through Sunday, April 13, 2025, at Ponchatoula Memorial Park. Held annually in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, the Strawberry Capital of the World, the 3-day event is Louisiana's largest free harvest festival. According to their website, the festival draws in over 300,000 people annually and features over 40 separate booths operated by non-profit organizations. Established in 1972, the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival attracts visitors from all over the country to celebrate local strawberry farmers, non-profits, and their special community. It is three days filled with time-honored traditions, incredible strawberry inspired dishes and drinks, live music, rides and a parade for tons of family, friendly fun. The year's Strawberry Festival Parade will take place on Saturday, April 12, starting at 9:30 am at the Ponchatoula Lions club. The parade has been an integral part of festival weekend since the very beginning. For more details on this year's festival and parade, please visit www.lastrawberryfestival.com

The French Quarter Festival celebrates its 42nd anniversary of music, food and fun on Thursday, April 10th - Sunday, April 13th. The 4-day festival in New Orleans is the largest free festival in the state of Louisiana, attracting thousands of visitors from all over the country every year. The festival features over 300 musical acts across 22 stages, celebrating our local music and representing every genre from traditional jazz to brass bands and Zydeco. This year's musical performers include Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Irma Thomas, Chapel Hart Band, The Original Pinettes Brass Band with Mia X, Little Freddie King, and Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. & the Zydeco Twisters. There will also be 70 culinary vendors showcasing our incredible New Orleans cuisine with dishes from Desire Oyster Bar, Jacques Imo's, Landry's, Nori Guys, Restaurant R'evolution and more. Fans are invited to join festival organizers, sponsors, and partners on Thursday, April 10th at 10 am for the French Quarter Festival Kickoff Parade. The parade will start on the 200 block Bourbon Street to St. Ann, making its way to Jackson Square for the Annual Opening Day Ceremony. For more information on the FQF festival, to see the complete musical or culinary lineup or to purchase Fest Family VIP tickets, please visit https://frenchquarterfest.org/

Hogs for the Cause returns for 2025 at the UNO Lakefront Arena on Friday, April 4th and Saturday, April 5th, for two days of good music, food, fundraising and family fun. Hogs for the Cause welcomes 85 local and regional BBQ masters and the best backyard chefs to compete in seven categories: Whole Hog, Ribs, Pork Butt/Shoulder, Porkpourri, Sauce, Fan Favorite, and Fundraising Champion. With both New Orleans musicians and national musical acts performing, you can dance all weekend long while enjoying some delicious dishes like Beef Back Ribs, Bacon Praline Egg Roll, Pulled Pork Nachos , Pineapple Pepper Jelly Wings, Bananas Foster Pudding and more. Hogs for the Cause has become the premier nationwide source of funding for families with children fighting pediatric brain cancer through the amazing efforts of their teams and fans. Working with both local and national children’s hospitals, including Children’s Hospital of New Orleans, Ochsner Hospital for Children, Duke Children’s Hospital, Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Children’s Hospital, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, and Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, to offer monetary relief to families with children who have brain cancer. For more information on this year's festival and to purchase tickets, please visit: https://hogsfest.org