Blooms bursting with vibrant hues. Warmer days tempered by gentle breezes and leisurely strolls. Migrating birdlife following the Ouachita River northward. The arrival of spring in Monroe-West-Monroe (aka “the Twin Cities”) calls us to emerge from winter’s haze and join in the lively roster of events happening inside the city limits and beyond. From gallery crawls and garden promenades, to outdoor music fetes and death-defying aeronautic displays, spring is a time when the Twin Cities really come to life. Here’s a preview of some calendar delights coming soon to Monroe-West Monroe.
Junior League’s Spring Market (March 14—16)
The Junior League of Monroe takes over the Monroe Civic Center to present the 26th annual iteration of their wildly popular Spring Market. It is a three-day extravaganza that attracts fashion-forward locals and visitors to enjoy some serious retail recreation while advancing women’s leadership through meaningful community impact. Among the wall-to-wall retail shopping booths, attendees also get to enjoy a selection of food truck offerings, and a rotating schedule of live local entertainment. Tickets are on sale now for various sessions including a preview party event, a “Market-Rita Madness” event featuring margaritas and Tex-Mex appetizers, and a Bunny Bash. Visit jlmonroe.org to learn more.
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On warm spring evenings, a friendly crowd settles in for Landry Vineyards' regularly scheduled outdoor concerts.
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Landry Wines
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Attendees bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets to Landry Vinyards' outdoor concerts, to enjoy the pretty countryside setting outside of West Monroe
Landry Vineyards Outdoor Concerts (Saturdays in March, April & May)
Landry Vineyards is a family-owned winery which commands 50 acres of bucolic hill country a few minutes west of West Monroe. When winery staff aren’t busy producing the almost two dozen different wines that Landry bottles each year, they host a concert series that draws renowned musicians representing numerous genres—from classic rock, to country, to jazz and R&B—to play from a covered pavilion. Guests spread out on picnic blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the music, take in the vineyard’s picturesque vistas, and sample a glass (or two) of wine, and delicious fare delivered by local food trucks. www.landryvineyards.com to learn more.
The first Thursday of every other month starting in February, 12 galleries across Monroe and West Monroe throw open their doors to welcome art lovers from far and wide. Those that come will fine expressionist art, prints, sculptures, jewelry-making classes, and art lectures amongst the attractions. Participating galleries include Alley Park, Sugar Gallery, Standard Coffee Co, La Bella, Albritton Photography, The Good Daze, The Palace Gallery, Revival Design & Cosign, Courtyard on Cotton, Max Porter Provisions, Flying Tiger Brewery, and the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council. Beyond the exhibitions, guests also have opportunities to enjoy live music, food, and drinks as they go. downtowngallerycrawl.com
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The Biedenharn Museum & Gardens is a museum complex that features regular exhibits and various events. It is composed of a historic home filled with antiques and artifacts, formal English gardens, a Coca-Cola Museum, a Bible Museum, and Museum Store.
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Courtesy of Louisiana Travel
Biedenharn Museum and Gardens
The Biedenharn boasts a Coca-Cola museum that reveals the South's role in the invention and growth of the blockbuster soda brand. Memorabilia lovers will get a kick out of all the pieces of tangible Coke lore on hand here. A few doors down guests can tour the Biedenharn home, decorated in the style of its last residents and opening up to an expansive and breathtaking garden and fountains out back.
Biedenharn’s 2024 Garden Symposium (April 19)
Bringing together experienced gardeners and floral designers, Biedenharn’s Garden Symposium explores the glorious possibilities of horticultural design in one of Louisiana’s most spectacular garden spaces. The annual symposium offers presentations by recognized gardeners and landscape designers, a plant sale, and a preview wine and cheese reception to get attendees into the spirit. This year’s speaker lineup features Martha Butler - “The French Potager,” Teri Wyly of La Terre Farms, and Felder Rushing - “The Gestalt Gardener.” For more event details, visit the Biedenharn Museum HERE.
Ouachita RiverFest (April 27)
Launched to mark West Monroe’s 140th birthday in 2023, the Ouachita RiverFest returns by popular demand. Its mission: To keep the spotlight on the Ouachita River— the cherished natural treasure that runs 605 miles from northern Arkansas through Louisiana and serves as this event’s namesake. The festival’s lineup includes performances from musicians like trailblazing fiddler Amanda Shaw and Grammy winner Chubby Carrier, wares by local artisans, a very popular Big Bass Classic fishing tournament, a special kids’ zone, and the Duck Drop, during which 5,000 ducks (of the rubber variety, naturally) are set afloat to race down the Ouachita River. See schedule highlights, register for the fishing tourney, or adopt your duck (it’s for a good cause) at ouachitariverfest.com
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The Monroe Regional Airport welcomes back the annual Red, White, and Blue Airshow, May 3—5.
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Photo by Hans Li. Courtesy of the Aeroshell Aerobatics Team. https://naat.net
The AeroShell Aerobatic Team soars back to Monroe/West Monroe for the Red, White and Blue Airshow, May 3—5.
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At the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum, the outdoor Aviation Park features seven restored military aircraft, including this A-7B Corsair II
Red, White, and Blue Airshow (May 3—5)
From airshow acts blazing through dazzling afternoon light to twilight aerobatic displays set against the late evening sky, the perennial favorite Red, White and Blue Airshow is a three-day extravaganza that salutes America’s heroes with jaw-dropping displays of airborne precision. Held at the Monroe Regional Airport, this year’s show promises new and returning performers, including the US Air Force’s F16 Fighting Falcon Viper Demo Team, the US Marine Corps Osprey Demo Team, The Titan Aerobatic Team, Ghostwriter Airshows, the Red-Baron-style escapades of Stephen Covington in his Pitts S2S Raptor, the extraordinarily rare P51 Mustang known as Charlotte’s Chariot, Frank Kimmel’s Corsair, and lots more. On Friday and Saturday, static displays, vendors and exhibits open at 3pm, with air show performances starting 90 minutes to two hours afterwards. On Sunday, show gates open at 11am with performances from 12:30pm. See www.redwhiteandblueairshow.com for more details.
That’s just a taste. In and around the Twin Cities, there’s so much more to explore. For more events information, sample itineraries, plus ideas for shopping, dining, and accommodation options, visit monroe-westmonroe.org/
