Rodeo-Parade-Rickie-Smith-High-Octaine.jpg

Photo by Rickie Smith - High Octane Images

Trail riders clop their way through downtown Leesville during the Rodeo Parade.

Fall Events in Vernon Parish

A forestry festival, a rollicking rodeo, classic cars, and a soapbox derby send sawdust flying and wheels spinning in October.

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Centered in the parish seat of Leesville, the West Louisiana Forestry Festival recalls Vernon’s logging history with a full week of activities from October 4—8. Highlights include the rides and sideshow attractions of the Mighty Thomas Carnival, and chances to marvel at the talents of young horsemen and -women during the popular Leesville Lions Club Rodeo. The 4-H Horse and Livestock Show is a chance to get acquainted with western Louisiana’s agrarian traditions while getting up-close and personal with the local livestock. Highlighting the vital role of the timber industry in Vernon’s development, the 4-H Woodsman Skills Contest tests strength, technique, and teamwork as contestants face off against one another during bow saw, log roll, match split, cross cut and rope climb competitions. If all the flying hooves and sawdust leave you hungry there’ll be foods from eight different vendors, too.

The rodeo serves as a primary fundraiser for the Leesville Lion's Club, with proceeds  supporting charitable efforts including the Lion's Camp for Crippled Children in Anacoco. 

The Lions Club Rodeo runs October 5—7 during the fair.  Expect to see riders compete at bull riding, calf roping, bareback riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling and saddle bronc riding. 

Pick a peck of punkins

• Anderson Hills hosts its annual pumpkin patch picking party through 31 October.  Come pick a peck of pumpkins with your preferred pumpkin pickers!

Fresh Pickin’s

• On October 14 and the second Saturday of every month from 8 am–1 pm, Leesville hosts an Extended Craft & Farmer’s Market day for fresh produce, homemade goods and locally crafted gifts.  Purveyors present produce, jellies and preserves, pickles and bird houses, plus eclectic collections of vintage objects in need of a second home. Leesville hosts plenty of local shops and restaurants to discover, too.

Raise a Glass

• Speaking of local flavor - spare time to sample a drop of local moonshine from Leesville’s newly established Louisiana Moonshine Co. Distilling more than fifteen varieties from Butterscotch Pecan to Apple Pie to Dill Pickle(!), this is one detour that might call for designating a driver! 

Start Your Engines

• October 28 the line-up for The Classic Car Show begins at 8 am in downtown Leesville, while the Louisiana Championship Soap Box Derby race down Third Street of specially built racers powered only by gravity goes on parallel to the Armadillo Motorcycle Rally and swap meet. The Derby Car Race, Armadillo Motorcycle Rally and swap meet begin signing in at 9 am.

Jack-o-lanterns abound on the night of Witch Way to Main Street also October 28, beginning at 5:30-8 o’clock to round off a fun day of activities.  Come trick-or-treat on the Main Street. Costumes de rigueur!  

Save The Date

Christmas on the Ranch, a Christmas Lights Drive-Thru is worth noting in your calendar from 24 November to 24 December.