You may have seen the New Culture Riderz galloping down Royal Street, trotting below I-10 or parking their horses on the neutral ground but rest assured, if you are a New Orleans resident, you have seen the local cowboys and their steeds somewhere about town. This Easter the public is invited to participate in a celebration with the equestrian organization.

New Culture Riderz will host a family friendly event featuring $12 seafood platters, pictures with the Easter Bunny, games, drinks and free BBQ for kids.

In 2017, Time Magazine profiled the city’s urban cowboy groups. Photographer Akasha Rabut told Time:  “A lot of them work for the city, so their jobs start really early in the morning. They feed their horse and then when they get off work at 3 p.m., they go back to the stables and stay until the sun goes down. I think it’s a lot like having a child.”

New Culture Riderz will host their special Easter event Saturday, April 3 from 1-3 p.m. at Johnny Jacobs Playground, 5851 5th Avenue in Marrero.

Horse racing fans this year will need to go to Evangeline Downs to experience the start of racing season. For horse lovers in New Orleans who are perhaps not so into betting, Cascade Stables in Audubon Park offers trail rides for the less experienced and horseback riding lessons to those interested in honing their equestrian skills. For more information on Cascade, click here. For more information on Evangeline Downs, click here.