Mid City’s biggest annual block party starts Friday, Nov. 20, at 6 p.m. More than 20 food vendors and restaurants will serve hors d’oeuvres and drinks up and down Government Street.
The Mid City Merchants puts White Light Night together each year, reaching out to local artists, restaurants, galleries and Mid City businesses to create a nearly-10-block soiree.
Since the first White Light Night nearly 20 years ago, the festival has been dubbed one of the hippest arts events in Baton Rouge.
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“The art hop started with just a smidgeon of folks who had galleries, like Mary Ann Caffery and Liz Walker of Elizabethan Gallery, and the original owners of Rue Cou Cou,” says Sharon Furrate Bailey, a marketing director for the Mid City Merchants Association.
Now, White Light Night boasts more than 50 participating businesses—from Circa 1857 on one end, to Atomic Pop Shop and Studio C in the middle, to Elizabethan Gallery and Brew Ha-Ha on the other end—and draws in thousands of people each year. In addition to perusing unique local art and enjoying live music, event-goers can sample the sweet and savory flavors of Baton Rouge.
Monjuni’s Italian Cafe, Dat’z Italian Authentic Wood-Fired Pizza and Reginelli’s Pizzeria will be there to cure the itch for Italian food, and Mestizo Mexican American Cuisine, La Carretta and Superior Grill will satisfy any taco cravings.
For those looking to quiet a sweet tooth, Tiger Deax-nuts and Cupcake Allie will have trucks at the event.
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Other vendors and restaurants participating in White Light Night include Simple Joe Cafe, Smashburger, Brew Ha-Ha, Brewbacher’s Grill, Bistro Byronz, The Radio Bar, MJ’s Cafe, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Yvette Marie’s Cafe, Modern Meals and Red Stick Spice Co.
Shuttle service is available throughout the night, but Bailey recommends attendees arrive and park by 5:30 p.m. due to traffic jams around Jefferson Highway and Government Street.
See the full list of participating Mid City businesses, shuttle service and a map of the event here.