Louisiana Children’s Museum to host fourth annual Mud Fest April 5

Written By Alicia Vial

NEW ORLEANS - The Louisiana Children’s Museum will host its annual Mud Fest Saturday, April 5, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. LCM invites all families and their friends to play with one of nature’s messiest resources: MUD. This year’s event will feature two stages of live entertainment, a GIANT dirt pile, expanded mud-themed programming and a variety of activities for all ages.

Why Mud? New Orleans and coastal Louisiana’s ecosystems demonstrate the perfect blend of earth and water. We are surrounded by wetland habitats, interact with water regularly in urban and rural environments and are impacted by unique regional hazards associated with water. Mud Fest aims to encourage positive associations with the realities of our region, while building resilience and critical thinking skills for the next generation of engineers, educators, urban planners, fishermen, farmers and conservationists. 

“Mud Fest is a highlight of our spring season, as we celebrate the power of getting messy and learning exploration for all ages,” said Tifferney White, LCM CEO. “LCM is dedicated to creating hands-on experiences that stimulate a young person’s brain development through problem-solving, creativity and exploration. If you’re exploring, you’re learning.”

LCM is thrilled to expand the festivities this year with two stages of live entertainment. One stage will feature vibrant live music, while the second will offer storytelling and activities led by our community partners, creating even more engaging experiences for families. Guests can discover the magic of mud through hands-on play and facilitated activities, including:

  • Muducation Station: STEM Nola and multiple community partners will host over a dozen engaging activities for children of all ages.

  • Tot Spot: A dedicated area with sensory-rich activities designed for the youngest guests (birth to three years old).

  • Mudder Run: Children can run, jump and crawl through a muddy obstacle course.

  • Live Entertainment: Enjoy performances by Sunpie Barnes and the Louisiana Sunspots, Grayhawk Perkins and young musicians from the School of Rock throughout the day, among other entertainment.

  • Kid Wash: Cool off and clean up after the messy play with sprinklers, pools and bubbles.

Mud Fest connects conservation, sustainability and community impact through hands-on activities led by dynamic local partners, including RicRACK, STEM NOLA, Grow Dat Youth Farm and Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station (among others!), highlighting the Museum’s commitment to environmental education and sustainability.

Tickets go on sale Friday, March 7. Event tickets are $14 per person for LCM members and $24 per person for non-members. Families eligible for the Museums for All program can purchase tickets for $10 per person (for up to four people). All tickets include admission to the Museum. Reserved tickets are required for all guests including LCM members. Tickets and more information are available at lcm.org.

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About Louisiana Children’s Museum  
Louisiana Children’s Museum has long been known for its work in the community through innovative outreach and nationally recognized programs that support children and advance the museum’s mission to contributes to the region's future prosperity by engaging children's potential and making that potential visible. Through play, shared explorations, and in dialogue with adults, LCM connects children to each other, their caregivers, their environments, and the community. Keep up with Louisiana Children’s Museum and future announcements at lcm.org and on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

About Museums for All
The Louisiana Children’s Museum participates in Museums for All, a signature access program of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the Association of Children’s Museums. This program offers general admission to the Museum for a minimal fee of $2 per person (for up to four people) with the presentation of a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card and a photo ID. Similar free and reduced admission rates are available to eligible members of the public at more than 700 participating museums across the country.  

 

 

 

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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