Cool things to do in Lafayette

    Summertime and it’s rather warm here in South Louisiana. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a good time to visit. Here are some cool reasons to visit Lafayette in summer:
    The EatLafayette campaign is ongoing through Aug. 15, with 61 participating restaurants offering summer specials. In addition, there will be a chance to win a four-day Caribbean cruise by entering at participating restaurants.
    The Lafayette Absolut Best Martini Contest runs every Tuesday for eight weeks until Aug. 21. Every Tuesday a different restaurant in town will be serving up signature martinis, giving visitors a chance to sample their creative mixtures and vote for their favorites Aug. 25 at the Hilton Lafayette during the Martinis 2012 Gala.
    Once again, the Acadiana Center for the Arts offers Gulf Brew, a celebration of Gulf South breweries, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. July 21. There will be sample beers, food and live music in Parc International in the heart of downtown Lafayette. Tickets are $25 for general admission and VIP tickets are $75 and include early admission and access to the VIP tent with special beer selections, food and VIP restrooms. A designated driver (non-taster) ticket is available for $15.
    Kart Ranch family entertainment center offers water blasting bumper boats with water targeting devises everywhere! No one will escape dry at this fun park.
    The Parc San Souci fountain at 201 E. Vermilion St. in downtown Lafayette offers a syncopated rise and fall of bursts of water, a favorite among kids and adults alike. Best of all, it's free!

    And for some instant cool gratification, snowball stands — or shall we say sneauxballs — are located all over Lafayette and surrounding areas. To name a few:
    Snowcones at the Hot Pot, 705 Robley Drive;
    Cajun Sno on Rena Drive;
    Crawfish Express, 106 Roselawn Blvd.;
    Murph’s Old Tyme Snowball, behind Old Tyme Grocery, 218 W. St. Mary.
    There’s also several ice cream shops in town. The newly renovated Borden's, where Jefferson Street meets Johnston, is the last Borden's ice cream parlor in existence. The newest addition to the cool scene is Carpe Diem Gelato and Espresso Bar downtown. Everything is made fresh here with summer produce.