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EBRP LIBRARY’S SUMMER READING PROGRAM

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Make plans to join in the fun during the 2021 EBRP LIBRARY’S SUMMER READING PROGRAM. The East Baton Rouge Parish Library hosts reading challenges for babies, kids, teens, and adults.

EBRP LIBRARY’S SUMMER READING PROGRAM

THE EBRP LIBRARY’S SUMMER READING PROGRAM GOES DIGITAL!

There’s Something for Everyone with the Online Summer Reading Program

The East Baton Rouge Parish Library’s 2021 Summer Reading Program, Tails, and Tales, began Tuesday, June 1, and will run through Sunday, August 15. In addition, they are continuing their online summer reading program!

EBRP LIBRARY’S SUMMER READING PROGRAM

Powered by Beanstack, the new program hosting software has four Summer Reading Challenges for all ages, as well as tons of online programming family fun with the Virtual Programming Challenge! Just read and complete activities to earn virtual badges. Each challenge has both a reading/logging element, as well as an activity factor. The rules, requirements, badges, and incentives vary based on the age group. Sign up at your local library location or online at https://ebrpl.beanstack.org. There’s even a mobile app!

Baton Rouge Kids – Ages 0 – 11

There are two fun-filled programs for children based on their ages and reading levels: Li’l Ones, ages 0-5, and Young Readers, for ages 5-11. For Li’l Ones, children can earn up to 30 reading badges and complete up to 24 activity badges. Young Readers can earn up to 75 reading badges by completing timed reading sessions and collect up to 50 activity badges! In addition, both Children’s Challenges can earn up to five entries into weekly drawings. Completion packets will include a choice of two free book bags, a free book, and coupons from area vendors while supplies last.

Baton Rouge Teens – 6-12th Grades

The Teen Challenge, designed for grades 6 through 12, allows readers to earn up to 105 reading badges by completing timed reading sessions and complete seven quests (combined activities) to earn activity badges! Challenge yourself to collect all 112 badges this summer! Earn up to 22 entries into the weekly drawings for each of the milestone badges! Teen completion packets will include a free backpack with a surprise inside.

Baton Rouge Adults – 18 and Up

Adults, you haven’t been left out!! The Adult Challenge, for ages 18 and up, still requires reading a minimum of three books to earn completion, but you can also keep reading and logging as in the past “paper” years. There are 27 activity badges designed to have you explore the website and enjoy all our wonderful community has to offer.

Sign up at https://ebrpl.beanstack.org, or through your local branch library. Adults will receive a small prize for signing up. Once you have completed your first log, it can be redeemed for a tote bag and a voucher for $3 off your fines! Want to keep reading? You can participate up to three times, and each completed log enters your name in a drawing for a grand prize at the end of the summer.

ONLINE SUMMER READING/2

At the end of the summer, grand prize winners will receive prizes donated by area merchants and the Patrons of the Public Library. Start by registering yourself or a member(s) of your family. You’ll be able to sign up either through the link on the website, the FREE mobile app, or by speaking with a staff member.

To sign up for the Summer Reading Program, visit your local library location, or go online to https://ebrpl.beanstack.org. For more information about the Summer Reading Program, call the Main Library Children’s Room at (225) 231-3760. For more information about the Library and any of its free resources, call (225) 231-3750, or visit us online at www.ebrpl.com.

More 2021 Summer Reading Programs

Chuck E. Cheese – Kids can earn 10 free Chuck E. Cheese tokens for reading each day for 2 weeks.

Scholastic Summer Challenge – Scholastic has a summer reading challenge where kids read and then go online to record the minutes they’ve read this summer. They’ll also be able to take weekly challenges to earn rewards and take part in a World Record challenge!

 Barnes & Noble Summer Reading for Kids– This program begins in May and runs through September. Kids can earn a FREE book after they read eight books and log them on the downloadable reading journal. The Barnes and Noble kids’ summer reading program is only available to students in grades 1–6. Only one book is available for each child who completes a reading journal, and the choice must be made from the selected books available at the store.

Baton Rouge Summer Camps

Blueberry picking near Baton Rouge and Beyond

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Blueberry picking can be a fun, delicious, and educational outing with kids. Nothing compares to picking one’s own food and seeing where our food comes from. In Louisiana, the picking season usually starts earlier than other parts of the country, and we’re blessed to have several options for Blueberry picking near Baton Rouge.

We’ve listed Blueberry picking farms below; while some of these farms are not close, they are within an hour or two and would make a fun day trip with a new city to explore. Time to get some dirt on your hands and fresh fruit in your buckets!

Good to Know Before You Go: Please be sure to call the farm before heading out, so many variables can affect your outing. Berry ripening, Weather, Berry availability, etc.

What to Bring: Prepare for a trip to the farm like you would a day at the park. With very little shade in the berry patches, you’ll want to bring hats and sunscreen. Wear full feet covering shoes, no flip-flops or the sort; those pesky Louisiana ants will get you every time! Bring baby wipes and a change of clothes for the littles; you never know what blueberry shenanigans the kids will get into.

Thanks to our Camp Guide sponsor, The Joint Chiropractic!
From everyday life and beyond, chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic
can help your family find relief from back pain, neck pain, migraines, and more.

Louisiana Blueberry picking

Blueberry picking near Baton Rouge and Beyond

 Berry picking in Baton RougePhoto Credit:  Patty Mcgrath @ Blueberry Ridge Orchard

Blueberry Ridge Orchard: The Season Opens Memorial Day, May 31st. Hours of operation are M-Sat- sunrise to sunset. Closed on Sundays. Please bring your own containers to take your berries home. The price for a u-pick is $1.50/lb.
WHERE: 2199 Holly Ridge Road, Jackson, Louisiana 70748.
More Info: Online | Facebook |225-603-2935 or leave a message at 225-629-5311.

Blue Harvest Farms: Blue Harvest Farms is the largest U-Pick Blueberry Farm in St. Tammany parish, located on the Covington/Bush border (Waldheim). Blue Harvest Farms will no longer be a public U-pick blueberry farm. They now operate a membership program. They are still U-pick, and they still only grow blueberries, but because the fields have been downsized, they can no longer handle historical BHF crowds.
WHERE: 78495 HWY 21, Bush, LA 70431
More Info: Online | Facebook | blueharvestfarms@gmail.com

EquiTerra Farm: EquiTerra Farm is a certified organic horse-powered farm.  They provide organic blueberries, figs, blackberries, muscadines, and vegetables. They also have wonderful big brown free-range eggs and free-range broilers. Pick, weigh, and pay!
WHERE: 12798 Muse Lane, Clinton, LA 70722
More Info:  225-683-8406 | pldavidson@aol.com

Blueberry picking near Baton Rouge

Loblolly Ridge Farm: The season opens Friday, June 4th, 2021.  Open Friday and Saturday Only 07:00am- 3:00pm. Berries are $10.00 per gallon cash only. Located in the northern section of Tangipahoa Parish, Amite, Louisiana. Loblolly Ridge Farm is a U-Pick Blueberry farm. The farm consists of 2 acres of blueberries (approximately 1200 bushes consisting of 6 varieties of hybrid blueberries).
WHERE: 1000 Andrew Bankston Road, Amite, LA 70422
More Info: Online | (985) 748-6843

Shuqualak Farms: The Blueberry picking season will begin on June 1, 2021, at 7 am. It will be open from 7 am to 7 pm 7 days a week.

Upick Blueberries 3$ a pound
Quart kids take home bucket 6$
Pure Blueberry Juice 10$ a quart
Blueberry Concentrate 12$ a quart
Blueberry Popsicles 1$ each 10$ a dozen
Local Honey squeeze bear 5$ pint 9$
T-shirts 15$
Cash,Check,Paypal +50 cent no credit card

Shuqualak Farms is small and inviting, with six acres of blueberries and four acres of blackberries. Open from early June to mid-July, visitors are provided with a 5-quart bucket and strap for collecting their harvest. Berries are packaged in freezer-safe bags, and children are given 1-quart take-home buckets.
WHERE: 232 Shuqualak Farms Rd, Frierson, LA
More Info: Online | Facebook | (318) 797-8273

Sunhillow Berry Farm: The Season Opens June 1st, 2021. Locally owned and operated. This farm has been in operation since 1993. We operate on the “honor” system. Come on out and pick your own! Pick, weigh, and pay!
WHERE: 33510 Magee-Mahner Rd Pearl River, LA
More Info: Online | Facebook | (985) 867-9737

 Strawberry & Blueberry picking

After Berry picking – Caring for Berries

Store unwashed berries in containers or gallon-sized zip-top bags layered with paper towels. Refrigerated berries will last about two days. Frozen blueberries can last from season to season or beyond, do not wash berries for the freezer. THEY MUST BE DRY BEFORE FREEZING; you can wash before use. Serve at room temperature after washing with a spray of cool water. Whole berries can be frozen in zip-top freezer bags for jams, smoothies, and homemade ice cream.

Get ready to jam.

Jams, jellies, cobblers, muffins – blueberries make any recipe more nutritious and delicious. Blueberries are fat-free, low in calories, and have fiber, vitamin C, and disease-fighting antioxidants.

Did you know?

Blueberries were originally planted as a replacement crop for tobacco. Today, they’re the No. 1 fruit produced in Georgia. Yep, they beat the peach with 18,328 acres producing 39 million pounds of blueberries valued at over $120 million.

Baton Rouge Summer Camps

Louisiana Children’s Museum to Reopen this Summer

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It’s been over a year since our children have enjoyed some of our most beloved play areas, but they are opening back up little by little. We’re so excited to share that the Louisiana Children’s Museum will be reopening just in time for the summer on Saturday, May 29.

“We are counting down the days until we can gather together and focus on creating joy for children and families within our Museum once again.” said Julia Bland, LCM CEO. “We’ve been busy planning and preparing for expanded play opportunities both indoors and outdoors and programs that will support the unique needs of children and families as our city and state continue to open up.”

Louisiana Children’s Museum

Louisiana Children’s Museum COVID Precautions 

There will be frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces and exhibit pieces, hand sanitizing stations. The museum will also encourage social distancing and repeated hand washing. Masks will be required for all staff, volunteers, and guests, including children ages eight and older. Masks are strongly encouraged for children ages four and older, according to the news release.

“The LCM is uniquely designed to offer state-of-the-art air and water quality,” Bland said. “For example, the Mississippi River water exhibit was specifically designed to ensure that the water that flows is purified and consumable. Even the cistern-runnel water features outdoors have purified water. These are safeguards that we planned and put in place when designing our state-of-the-art exhibits,” added Bland.

Louisiana Children’s Museum Summer Admission & Memberships 

Advance timed-entry tickets will be required to effectively manage the number of guests. Advance timed-entry tickets will be available beginning Monday, May 17 at 9 a.m. at www.lcm.org/tickets.

Admission to the LCM is $14 per person for adults and children 12 months and older. LCM Family Memberships are also available for purchase and include general admission for a full year of play and exploration.

LCM memberships that were active when the museum closed will automatically be extended. All members will receive their full 12-month value of membership. New membership cards with updated expiration dates will be mailed to members in early May.

Louisiana Children’s Museum Hours

The Museum will open Tuesday – Saturday, 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. throughout the summer.

Live After Five 2021 Returns in Fall – Downtown Baton Rouge

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After a year of being silenced due to the pandemic, Live After Five will be back in 2021. We know musicians and Baton Rougeans alike are ready for live music and some normalcy.

Live After Five 2021

Live After Five 2021

Known as the capital city’s premier seasonal live music event series,  Baton Rouge’s Live After Five, produced by the Downtown Business Association, will return for Twelve Fridays in a row from August 20 – November 5! Fall visitors and locals will once again be able to take in the sights and sounds as musicians come together to perform a free concert in downtown Baton Rouge’s North Boulevard Town Square at Galvez Plaza every Friday from 5 pm – 8 pm. 

Stay tuned for more info and the full music lineup; we will be sure to share it here when it’s announced!