Pro tip: Be sure to get lots of rest before joining the marathon of fun, food, music, shopping, art and paddle-pumping competition that arrives with Alex River Fete and Dragon Boat Races, May 1 – 3. To catch everything that this action-packed three-day annual celebration has to offer, you’ll need it.
Alex River Fête Dinner
Alex River Fête kicks off Friday evening in downtown Alexandria with Dinner on the Bricks
Central Louisiana’s annual rite of spring kicks off on Thursday, May 1 with Dinner on the Bricks, when downtown Alexandria’s Third Street closes to traffic, filling instead with visitors and locals enjoying fresh evening air and local cuisine along the city’s cobblestone streets.
Photo courtesy of Louisiana Dragon Boat Races
Louisiana Dragon Boat Racing
Fast and furious, the Louisiana Dragon Boat Races return on May 3, 2025, and benefit the Alexandria Museum of Art. Photo courtesy of Louisiana Dragon Boat Races
Saturday’s flagship event is the Dragon Boat Races, taking place on picturesque Buhlow Lake and benefiting Alexandria Museum of Art. Fast and furious, this is the 2,500-year-old sport in which teams pack into narrow, brightly colored boats decorated to resemble dragons, then race them across Buhlow Lake. A team of 16 crews each boat, paddling in unison to the beat of an onboard drummer, making the races lively and action-packed. Free trolleys run between the festival grounds and Buhlow Lake throughout the day.
Between the race heats, recharge and refuel at Que’in on the Red, where seasoned grill masters compete to create the best chicken, pork spare ribs and beef brisket. Barbecue enthusiasts can sample all they want, then cool off in the Beer Garden. Barbecue isn’t the only fare, either: you could also build your own progressive food trail while sampling the variety of bites, beverages, snacks, and complete meals available from the many local food trucks that line up at the festival, too.
Class car fete
Cars line the streets at the Classic Car Fete in Alexandria
Classic car lovers can ooh and ahh over the glittering American iron that gathers for the weekend’s Classic Car Fête, while music lovers sway to the beat with live music on multiple stages all weekend. For a fresh vibe, The Indie Fête serves as a showcase for alternative musical artists (and local makers) representing CenLa’s independent arts scene.
For a bird’s eye view of all the festivities, grab a ticket to ride the Ferris Wheel, then amble over to the Kids Fête, where arts and crafts for younger revelers await. At the Art Fête, dozens of artists and crafters offer one-of-a-kind sculptures, jewelry, woodwork, paintings and more. Bursting with life and local color, Alex River Fête has something to spark interest for every visitor. Put simply by a local, it’s just a good old time. Visit https://alexriverfete.com/ to learn more.
