If you’re looking for an easy, feel-good way to spend a Saturday morning with the family, the Red Stick Farmers Market has you covered.

On April 4, the market’s annual “Strawberry Jam” is turning downtown Baton Rouge into a celebration of all things spring—centered around Louisiana’s strawberry season, but built for a full morning of family-friendly fun. From 8 a.m. to noon at 5th and Main, it’s the kind of outing where you can show up with no real plan and leave with full bags, happy kids, and at least one new favorite snack.

Start your morning with a stroll through the market while it’s still cool outside. Grab a coffee, let the kids wander a bit, and take your time exploring the booths. The strawberries will be front and center—fresh-picked, in peak season, and coming straight from local farms—but that’s just the beginning. You’ll find everything from homemade jams and pastries to strawberry gelato and lemonade, making it very easy to turn a quick stop into a full tasting tour.

For families, this is where the day really shines. There’s plenty to keep kids engaged, including a hands-on strawberry DNA activity hosted by LSU’s College of Science that brings a little learning into the mix without feeling like a lesson. Add in a larger-than-life strawberry photo mural and a visit from Jazzy the Strawberry, and suddenly you’ve got built-in entertainment that feels just as fun as it is memorable.

Live music will be playing throughout the morning, giving the whole market that laid-back, linger-a-little-longer energy. It’s the kind of atmosphere where kids can snack and dance while parents browse, shop, and maybe pick up a few things for the week ahead.

If you’re looking to mix in something a little different, plan to pop into the Teaching Kitchen inside Main Street Market for a cooking demonstration at 10 a.m. Local restaurateur and sommelier Scott Higgins will be sharing creative ways to use fresh strawberries, which might just inspire your next family dinner or weekend recipe experiment.

One of the best parts of making this a Saturday tradition is how easy it is. Free parking is available in the Galvez Parking Garage, and everything is walkable once you arrive. There’s no rush, no strict schedule—just a few hours to slow down, enjoy the moment, and spend time together.

And while it’s a fun outing, it’s also a meaningful one. Every purchase supports local farmers and small food producers, the people who make it possible for Baton Rouge families to enjoy fresh, seasonal food week after week. It’s a simple way to show kids where their food comes from while supporting the community around you.

So if you’re wondering what to do this weekend, this is it. Bring the family, grab a tote, and plan to stay awhile. Strawberry season is short, but mornings like this are exactly what make it so sweet.