Things to do in Monroe | June 16 – 22
Last week we were at the USA vs Paraguay watch party, at the Sterlington Library for Lady Chops, and out on Cheniere Lake kayaking the new Ouachita Paddling Trails. All three dispatches are inside. This week: Miss Louisiana takes the stage June 18-20, live music runs all weekend, a Jimmy Buffett tribute lands Saturday at Flying Tiger. And the full July 4th lineup is waiting at the bottom. Scroll on, Monroe.
Cheniere Lake, opening day of the Ouachita Paddling Trails Phase II. Photo: Meet Monroe.
| Sunrise | 6:00 AM ↑ |
| Sunset | 8:17 PM ↓ |
| Moon | New Moon |
| Temp | 76°F / 24.2°C |
| Sky | Overcast |
| Humidity | 89% |
| River | Ouachita — 5.3 ft |
| Air | Good 30 AQI |
Lady Chops. She drove in from Ruston with a full drum kit, a washboard, and a Broadway musical percussion show that had every kid in the room on their feet by the end. Free, at the Sterlington Library, on a Thursday afternoon. It reminded me of the Bilingual Camps my sister and I ran here in Monroe for years: a room full of kids moving, laughing, and learning at the same time. Read
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Ouachita River Blues Society Open Jam
It's a free music event at Enoch's Irish Pub. Live blues music is happening on June 18.
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Alyssa Freeman Live at Heirloom
It's a live music event at Heirloom, 120 Walnut St, from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM. This free evening includes handcrafted cocktails and elevated dining.
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Murphy's Law Live at the VFW
It's happening at Monroe VFW on select Saturdays. This event is open to the public, with a $10 cover that includes a door prize ticket, and is BYOB with concessions available.
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Mike McKenzie Live at Star Bar
It's a live music event at Star Bar, starting at 8:00 PM. This free performance includes music by Mike McKenzie.
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Jackson Culp & The Company Live at Enoch's
It's a live music performance at Enoch's Irish Pub on June 20. This free event includes music by Jackson Culp & The Company.
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Lovely Cruise: A Tribute to the Music of Jimmy Buffett
A live music tribute is happening at Flying Tiger Brewery from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. It includes an all-star lineup of local musicians and costs $20 for admission.
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Flying Heart Live with The Matt Dean Band
Live music is happening at Flying Heart Brewing & Pub from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. It's a free event in the Beer Garden.
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Apero Wine Dinner: Tour of Italy
It's a 5-course themed dinner with custom wine pairings at 2252 Tower Dr. Ste 107. Admission is $130.
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Mahjong on the Mezz
It's a game night at The Hotel Monroe from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. This evening of strategy and competition includes table service and costs $35.
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Miss Louisiana 2026
It's a scholarship competition at the Jack L. Howard Theatre from June 18 to 20. This free event includes talent, health, and fitness performances, as well as on-stage questions.
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Bayou Bowl Trivia & TraXs
It's a trivia night with unlimited bowling at 100 Horseshoe Lake Rd. from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM for $10 admission.
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Dinomite Night at the Musuem
It's a prehistoric-themed evening at the Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Admission is $30 and registration is required.
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Mystery Mondays!
This family-friendly mystery event is happening at the ULM Museum of Natural History from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and is free for visitors of all ages.
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Lil' Hawks Summer Softball Camp
It's a softball camp for kids ages 5-12 at ULM Softball Complex. The $111 fee includes lunch and instruction from the university's coaching staff.
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Bryant Vincent Football Camp
This football skills camp is happening at Malone Stadium from 5:00pm to 8:00pm, and includes registration from 5:00pm to 6:00pm. It's open to rising 9th-12th graders, junior college, and transfers, with a pre-register cost of $55 and a walk-up cost of $65.
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National Go Fishing Day
Fishing demos and tips on the Ouachita riverfront. John David Owen from Honey Hole Tackle Shop leads the morning. Free, bring your own gear.
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Junior Warhawk Skills Camp
It's a baseball fundamentals camp at Lou St. Amant Baseball Field from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. This free camp for ages 6-13 includes instruction from head coach Ford Pemberton.
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Salsa Class
Dance class in Ruston, 30 minutes from Monroe. Coffee and pastries included. $10 at the door.
JULY 4TH WEEKEND
TWIN CITIES · 250TH ANNIVERSARY
It's a patriotic procession for kids at Triangle Park from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM. This free community event includes a decorative bike and wagon display.
Flying Heart's 5th Birthday Bash
It's a 2-day celebration at Flying Heart Brewing & Pub with live music and food. This free event starts on July 4.
It's a community market at 111 Art Alley from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This free event includes vendors, shopping, and food trucks.
It's happening at Downtown West Monroe on July 4. This community event is free and includes live music, food, and festivities.
It's a free fireworks display at Downtown Monroe and West Monroe from 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM. This family-friendly event includes viewing areas along the Ouachita River.
It's happening at Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This family event includes old-fashioned carnival games, animal exhibits, and rides, and is free to attend.
Twin Cities 250th Anniversary Parade hosted by Krewe of Janus
It's a community procession at Krewe of Janus Krewe Den on July 4 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This free event includes marching bands, floats, and local performers.
I went out to Cheniere Lake for the Ouachita Paddling Trails Phase II ribbon cutting and ended up in a kayak. Third time in my life, a little tense the whole time. The water was calm, the cypress trees were reflected in the lake, and nobody around me was talking. Ouachita Paddle and Provisions made it easy. Still thinking about buying my own. Full story here.
ULM just signed a partnership with the University of Puerto Rico, opening doors for student and faculty exchange, joint research, and shared curriculum. Puerto Rico has eight of the ten major pharmaceutical manufacturers in the US. ULM has Louisiana's only public pharmacy program. Good match.
"You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting." Mary Oliver's Wild Geese. Permission to just be.
See you out there, Monroe.
— Meet Monroe Team
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