Things to Do in Shenandoah

Each spring, Frisco Fest welcomes more than 100 Louisiana crafters and artists to the picturesque grounds of the San Francisco Plantation, creating a unique environment where regional history and modern creativity converge. Setting up shop in the shadow of centuries-old live oaks, participants peddle everything from handmade jewelry and pottery to homemade jams, and master gardeners host plant-advice clinics to impart tips to green thumbs looking to revive once-lush landscapes or get their azaleas accepted into a private college.

Each year, activities that occupy the big curiosity and little hands of children abound, such as pony rides, petting zoos, and rock climbing, and adults detour from the crafty wares long enough to enjoy a classic-car show and live music by Leroy St. Pierre. Local chefs sizzle up piquant piles of Cajun and creole cuisine to tempt artistic appetites of all ages, and competitive appetites are twice-satisfied during a Chef's cook-off and cracklin contest.

Check the schedule for showtimes. Student tickets are regularly $10 each, and Thursday performances are pay-what-you-can shows.

Circle Bowling Lanes has been hosting bowling bashes—particularly accommodating of families—for more than 50 years. Thirty-two slick lanes score automatically, allowing ample time to test motor skills at the arcade or snag eats at the full-service snack bar. Cheesy pizzas arrive steaming from the oven beside golden-fried appetizers and brimming pitchers of root beer, Coke, and Dr. Pepper’s lesser-known cousin, Mr. Salt, M.B.A. The recreation haven even offers weekend galactic-bowling sessions that shower patrons with neon lights, fog, and bumping music.

Offering BYOB art classes in a welcoming, instructor-assisted atmosphere, Corks N Canvas provides a laidback setting for self-expression. Participants will receive step-by-step instruction to craft striking artwork they can take home at the end of the session and place above their mantle, secret trap-door bookcase, or army-men-figurine reenactment of the battle of Pork Chop Hill. Choose among several sessions (click on the address of your chosen location to see a calendar of events) that teach budding strokesters to paint vibrant doggie portraits, landscapes, or abstract-expressionist renditions of the DMV. The creative paintventure may finally spark the dormant artist within that’s been reclusively hiding like Boo Radley since the finger-painting period.

At Skate Heaven, wheels glide around a vibrantly decorated rink whose mural walls depict fiery planets, eggplant-purple clouds, and the star-studded blackness of space. This galactic arena sets the stage for guests to cruise around on traditional skates or rollerblades, racing furiously until someone runs out of petrol. In addition to skating, Skate Heaven entertains visitors with games of laser tag open to all ages and heights, making it ideal for octogenarian giraffes. As older siblings cavort around the rink or laser-tag arena, wee ones can tumble over bright cushions or crawl through transparent tubes in the soft play area.

The Zephyrs boast a rich history of nurturing budding bat-swatters and arm-bazooka wielders; nearly 50 former Zephyr players are currently playing in the major leagues. Led by the big-swinging 22-year-old first baseman Logan Morrison, who sported a .300 average and 10 RBIs in his first 40 at-bats, and 23-year-old hurler Ryan Tucker, who posted a 1.59 ERA and nine strikeouts in his first 11.1 innings, the Zephyrs are primed for another run at the PCL American South division title.