Things to do in Monroe | July 1 – 7
It's a beautiful day loved ones! Last Thursday I was at the Business Expo in West Monroe. A hundred local businesses, food everywhere, and I walked out with a basket from The Neighborhood Vet. Did not see that coming. This week: America turns 250 and both sides of the river are going all out. Parade at 11, fireworks and a drone show over the Ouachita at night. Scroll on, Monroe. Allons-y!
Annual Business Expo 2026, West Monroe Sports and Events Center. Photo: Meet Monroe
| Sunrise | 6:03 AM ↑ |
| Sunset | 8:19 PM ↓ |
| Moon | Full Moon |
| Temp | 88°F / 31.3°C |
| Sky | Thunderstorm |
| Humidity | 67% |
| River | Ouachita — 4.3 ft |
| Air | Good 43 AQI |
I went to the Annual Business Expo in West Monroe last Thursday. Over 100 local businesses, food samples, door prizes going out all night. I threw my name in a few times and ended up walking out with a basket from The Neighborhood Vet. I occasionally win something, so I was very pleased.
★ ★ ★
The ULM Museum of Natural History has been on University Avenue for years. I had never walked through the door. Mystery Monday finally gave me a reason to go.
Inside: a Columbian mammoth skull, a cast of Sue the T-rex, a live coral reef tank, and more rooms than I expected. Free admission. One hour well spent.
★ ★ ★
The ULM Museum of Natural History has been on University Avenue for years. I had never walked through the door. Mystery Monday finally gave me a reason to go.
Inside: a Columbian mammoth skull, a cast of Sue the T-rex, a live coral reef tank, and more rooms than I expected. Free admission. One hour well spent.
Happy Birthday, Twin Cities!
TWIN CITIES · 250TH ANNIVERSARY
'Murica 250 with The Monty Russell Band
Music starts at 6pm, $5 cover, kids 12 and under free. Fireworks view included.
Morning race with 1K and 5K routes. Registration required.
Free admission to a market with vendors, food trucks, and local shops. Starts at 10am. third year running
Independence Day Celebration
Free celebration with live music, food, and fireworks. Family-friendly activities all day.
Flying Heart's 5th Birthday Bash
Live music and food. Free event, two days. happy birthday to them
Celebrate Independence Day with carnival games, food trucks, and zoo animals. Free event from 10am to 2pm. free till 2
4th of July Children's Parade
Kids decorate bikes, wagons, scooters. Free family event. start here
Twin Cities 250th Anniversary Parade hosted by Krewe of Janus
Marching bands, community groups, and local performers star in a vibrant procession. Floats and dancers add to the fun. Come cheer on July 4th! don't miss this one
Family celebration with food, activities, and patriotic fun. Admission is $5 per child, $2 per adult.
July Celebration Fireworks
Fireworks are shot over the Ouachita River. Enjoy shopping, food, and festivities all day. Free admission. and a drone show
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HollyRock Live at Flying Tiger with Mandolin State Opening
2 bands perform, $10 cover. Starts at 6:00 PM. opening night
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M-Merle Day Reschedule
$10 cover, music tribute to Merle Haggard. No outside food or drink. downtown
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Creative Convos
Free admission. Socialize and discuss art trends with creatives.
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Throw Back Dayz Tickets, Sunday, July 5 • 3 PM
Karaoke, line dancing, and tournaments. Ages 21+. at the zoo
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Summer Art Camps 2026
Art camps for kids. $125, includes materials and T-shirt.
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Mahjong on the Mezz
Play Mahjong with friends. Admission is $35.
Free concert last Wednesday at ULM. Music teachers from across Louisiana, here for their summer MME program, taking turns on the podium and then sitting back down to pick up an instrument. Read the full story.
Monroe's Dragonfly is coming home. The sculpture by artist Edmund Williamson returns to Forsythe Park this Tuesday, June 30. Installation starts at 6:30 AM and takes about two hours. If you're in the area, you can watch it go back up. A ribbon-cutting celebration is coming soon.
"Louisiana, Louisiana, they're tryin' to wash us away."Randy Newman wrote this about the Great Flood. It's our history set to music. With you, always in our hearts.
See you out there, Monroe.
— Meet Monroe Team
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