The good people of Monroe and West Monroe are gearing up for a fall festival season studded with one-of-a-kind events you’re not about to find anywhere else.
Whether you want to try your hand at gar wrangling, spend an afternoon grape stomping, or dancing to live music by American Idol winner Laine Hardy—there’s a memory waiting to be made in Monroe West-Monroe. Here’s just a taste.
August 28–31 - West Monroe Gar Rodeo, the West Monroe Boat & Outdoor Expo, and Duck Commander Sunday
This Labor Day weekend, drop everything and let ‘em all know you’ve gone fishin’.
Beginning Thursday afternoon, start your weekend out right while wandering the West Monroe Boat & Outdoor Expo at West Monroe Sports and Events. Shop the latest in boats and tackle, and talk shop with experts and demonstrators on site, all the way through Saturday evening.
Friday and Saturday, it’s time to get your garfish game on at the West Monroe Gar Rodeo. Come watch as a distinctly Louisiana tradition plays out on the Ouachita River at downtown West Monroe, or throw your hat in the ring by getting in on the competition yourself. The rodeo coincides with a Friday night live performance in Alley Park by the band No Good Horses, and concludes Saturday morning with a fish toss at Flying Heart Brewing & Pub. Registration is $25–$35.
Festivities close out on Sunday at the Duck Commander Warehouse, with a day honoring the legacy of the late Phil Robertson, who found fame as the patriarch of Duck Dynasty’s Robertson family. Expect a church service, food trucks, a duck call contest, live music by Dasher the band, a screening of Duck Commander films, and an evening of live music—all for free.
Get all the details at monroe-westmonroe.org.
September 13 & October 11 - Landry Grape Stomp
In September and October, Monroe-West Monroe calls all Lucille Ball wannabes to Landry Vineyards to take part in the traditional pigeage process, better known as grape stomping. That’s right … come dressed á la I Love Lucy and make sure your feet are clean. To accompany the stomp, Lisa Spann & Company will be rocking out classic rock selections during September, and Flashback Five will follow with Top 40 hits in October. Afterward, finish the evening with summer sausage and peach wine bellinis. Tickets are $10. Get all the details at landryvineyards.com.
October 4 - Northeast LA Celtic Festival
The annual Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival returns to West Monroe this fall, this year at Lazarre Park. A celebration of Scottish and Irish traditions, this will be a day of traditional Highland games, Celtic dance showcases, musical demonstrations, and artisan crafts. Listen to folktales, try your (feet) at stepdancing, and wolf down a hearty helping Irish stew (… and maybe a craft beer or two. Get all the details at the Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival Facebook Page.
November 7–8 - ChennaultFest
Every fall, Monroe’s Chennault Aviation & Military Museum welcomes a crowd to its grounds for a weekend of festival whimsy. All the trappings are here: arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, and a petting zoo. But the main attractions float overhead—gorgeous hot air balloons, made all the more magical each evening during the nightly balloon glows. There’ll be live music to keep the energy going, with headliners Parish County Line Friday and American Idol’s own Laine Hardy on Saturday. Get all the details at chennaultfest.com.
November 8 - Comic Con
Hosted by Louisiana Delta Community College at the West Monroe Convention Center, this gathering offers creative spirits the very best bits of gaming, comics, and pop culture community. Think: cosplay contests, Mortal Kombat gaming competitions, Pokémon tournaments, and lots more. Amongst this year’s special guests are folks from Open Heart Productions, WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy “The Mouth of the South” Hart, and voice actor Tony Daniels—who you might recognize as Tony the Tiger, Marvel’s Gambit, and Uncle Flippy in JoJo’s Circus. That’s just the beginning! Get all the details at the Louisiana Delta Comic Con Facebook Event.
Find more exciting events coming up on the Monroe-West Monroe fall festival calendar at monroe-westmonroe.org/events.
