GATES OPEN
It is officially back-to-school week in Monroe. Whether you are snapping first-day photos on the front porch or packing lunchboxes for the first time, backpacks are full and school buses are rolling again, so slow down out there.
Plus, Kiroli Park officially reopens this Saturday after months of storm restoration, with free admission for the next several weeks. Market on the Square kicks off the weekend lineup, followed by the Health and Wellness Expo, the Back To School STEM Festival, and live music across town.
Actors on stage during Josh Madden Productions' performance of Waiting for Godot at ULM's Spyker Theater.
Health screenings, fitness demos, and local wellness vendors all under one roof. A full morning dedicated to helping Monroe reset and feel its best before fall kicks into gear. Free health checks, community resources, and interactive booths. Monroe Civic Center. Saturday, August 15, 10am to 2pm. Free. (worth stopping by)
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Back To School STEM Festival
Head to the Monroe Civic Center for hands on science, technology, engineering, and math activities, plus backpack giveaways and community resources. August 15, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Free.
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Catcher Camp
Head Coach Ford Pemberton leads this camp at Lou St. Amant Baseball Field. Players ages 14 to 20 learn glove work, footwork, and hitting. August 15 at 9:00 am.
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Josh Madden Live
Catch Josh Madden live at Enoch's Irish Pub.
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Sauce Live at Enoch's
Catch Sauce live at Enoch's Irish Pub. Grab a burger and a drink and enjoy the music. Happening August 15, 2026.
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Mike McKenzie Live
Catch Mike McKenzie live at the Monroe VFW. Open to the public, family-friendly, and non-smoking. BYOB with concessions available. $10 cover includes a door prize ticket.
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Thursday Night Special
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Austin George with The Bayou Hippies
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Landry Vineyards
Learn the winemaking process at Landry Vineyards with owner Jeff Landry. Choose from over 25 wines for tastings starting at 11 AM, or take a guided tour starting at 2 PM.
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Texas Hold 'em Tournament
Play poker at the Krewe of Janus Krewe Den. The tournament features re-buys and late entry for the first two hours. Prizes are paid in Visa gift cards. $90.
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🐾 Adoption Event at Animal House 🐾
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Market on the Square
Stop by the West Monroe Farmer's Market on Saturdays in August from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM to shop pop-up vendors, fresh baked pastries, and handcrafted goods.
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ULM Soccer at Little Rock
Catch the ULM soccer team playing at Little Rock. The match takes place from 6:00pm to 8:00pm CDT.
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Hitting and Defense Camp
Head Coach Ford Pemberton leads this instructional camp at Lou St. Amant Baseball Field. Ages 14-20, August 15 at 12:00 pm. Registration closes August 14.
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Pitching Camp
Led by Warhawk Pitching Coach Brady Cox at Lou St. Amant Baseball Field. August 15 at 9:00 am, check-in at 8:50 am. Ages 14-20, registration closes August 14th.
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The Atomic Two Miler
Run a two mile night race behind the levee across from Forsythe Park on August 15, from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM. Medals awarded. $25.
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ULM Soccer vs Alcorn State
Catch the University of Louisiana Monroe soccer team playing against Alcorn State at Brown Stadium. The match runs from 1:00pm to 3:00pm CDT on August 16, 2026.
North Louisiana Sportsman's Expo and Gar Rodeo
August 28 through 30 at the West Monroe Sports and Events complex. Outdoor vendors, archery competitions, and the famous gar rodeo weigh-ins. One of the biggest outdoor events in North Louisiana.
| Sunrise | 6:29 AM ↑ |
| Sunset | 7:57 PM ↓ |
| Moon | New Moon |
| Temp | 96°F / 35.4°C |
| Sky | Clear sky |
| Humidity | 44% |
| River | Ouachita: 3.4 ft |
| Air | Good 46 AQI |
Kiroli Park Reopens Saturday with Free Admission
After months of storm restoration work, Kiroli Park is officially reopening its gates on Saturday, August 15. Admission is free for the next several weeks while work wraps up. Volunteer shifts are available Friday, August 14 (7:30–10:30am & 4–6:30pm) to help put on final touches. West Monroe Parks & Rec announcement.
New Library Branch Opens in September
The new Ouachita Parish Public Library branch on Oliver Road (across from Ryan Honda, in the old Stein Mart building) is opening in September. The inside has been completely transformed, and local book lovers are eager to step inside.
Castor and Chicory: Open This Week, Closed After 8/18
If you love their sticky rolls or blueberry cheesecake cinnamon rolls, stock up this week. Castor and Chicory (405 Natchitoches St, Downtown West Monroe) will be closed starting 8/18 for the rest of August while the family takes a homeschool history trip.
Glass Recycling Is Back
The West Monroe Recycling Center (607 Grantham Avenue) is accepting glass again for processing. If you have been saving jars and bottles, now is the time to bring them by. City of West Monroe announcement.
Masur Museum Temporary Closure
The Masur Museum of Art is temporarily closed while workers make floor repairs and prepare for upcoming exhibitions. Stay tuned for reopening dates.
Now Hiring Around NELA
Bayou Butts and Booze is hiring cashiers (21+) across locations in West Monroe, Monroe, and Bastrop. Plus, dental assistant and retail team openings are active across Monroe this week.
Out and About: From Municipal Halls to the Ouachita River
We spent a busy week exploring three distinct sides of Louisiana culture and community life.
First, we attended the Louisiana Municipal Association convention, connecting with city leaders, mayors, and regional planners from across the state. From discussions on the Southern Rail Commission and intercity passenger train routes to conversations with municipal leaders about economic development, it was an empowering look at the future of our towns.
Next, we headed to Forsythe Park for our very first Reaper Fest along the Ouachita River. Bringing our family along, we were blown away by the sheer sea of boats stretched along the water, the live music, and the vibrant riverfront crowd.
Finally, we scored tickets to see Josh Madden Productions' performance of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot at ULM's Spyker Theater, catching the afternoon show with a good friend. Read here.
LDCC and General Motors Team Up
Louisiana Delta Community College just announced a partnership with General Motors to bring the GM Service Technician Education Program (STEP) to the West Monroe campus. Students in the Automotive Technology program now get access to GM training modules and a direct pipeline to dealership careers. Read more at LDCC.
Downtown West Monroe Wants a Riverfront Restaurant
The city is looking for a partner to build and run a two-story restaurant overlooking the Ouachita River in downtown West Monroe. TBA Studio did the conceptual design. Proposals are due September 10 at City Hall. See the RFP.
Back To School STEM Festival
Volunteers prepped hundreds of free backpacks filled with school supplies for local kids heading back to class. The STEM United Back To School Festival is Saturday August 15 at the Monroe Civic Center, noon to 3pm. Free bookbags, haircuts, hygiene products, and STEM activities. Register on Eventbrite.
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less traveled by." Robert Frost's most famous poem is trickier than it sounds. It might be about the stories we tell ourselves.
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See you out there.
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