Things Happening in Avoyelles 📍

There is a lot coming up around Avoyelles Parish! From community benefits and church fairs to 5Ks, youth programs and local events, here’s a look at what’s happening over the next several weeks:

• Sept. 21 — Food Bank Mobile Pantry in Simmesport: The Food Bank of Central Louisiana will hold a Mobile Pantry from 8–10 a.m. at Tree of Calvary Baptist Church. The distribution comes during Hunger Action Month, which is raising awareness of food insecurity throughout Central Louisiana and here at home in Avoyelles Parish.
• Sept. 22 — New 4-H Outdoor Skills Club: Avoyelles Parish 4-H is launching a new Outdoor Skills Club for students in grades 5–12. The first meeting will be from 5–6:30 p.m. at the Avoyelles Parish 4-H Office. Members will learn map reading, compass use, basic survival skills, outdoor safety and more.
• Sept. 23 — New 4-H STEM Club: Students in grades 7–12 can explore robotics, coding, drones, engineering and other technology projects through the new Avoyelles Parish 4-H STEM Club. Its first meeting will be from 4:30–6 p.m. at the Avoyelles Parish 4-H Office.
• Sept. 26 — Ride for Beau: The community is invited to participate in the “Ride for Beau” poker run benefiting Beau Bordelon and his family of Plaucheville. Registration will be held from 8:30–10 a.m. at the Ben Routh Recreation Area in Effie, with the ride beginning at 10 a.m. All vehicles are welcome, especially motorcycles, Jeeps and Broncos. A 50/50 raffle, auction and cake sale are also planned.
• Sept. 26 — Cottonport Farmers Market & Town-Wide Garage Sale: Shoppers can spend the morning in Cottonport with the outdoor farmers market at Unity Park and the town-wide “Sale’ing on the Bayou” Garage Sale. Both begin at 7 a.m., with garage sales taking place throughout town.
• Sept. 26–27 — St. Francis DeSales Fair in Echo: The two-day church fair begins Saturday with gumbo, children’s games, bingo, cracklings and a free street dance featuring Phillip Meche, “The Cajun Outlaw.” Sunday begins with Mass at 9 a.m., followed by brisket dinners, bingo and a raffle.
• Sept. 26 — National Hunting and Fishing Day: Families can head to the LDWF Outdoor Education Center in Woodworth from 8 a.m.–1:30 p.m. for a free day featuring fishing, archery, shooting activities, a frogging tent, alligator skinning demonstrations, outdoor exhibitors and a SWAT demonstration. Children 12 and younger can also enter drawings for lifetime hunting and fishing licenses.
• Sept. 28 — 4-H Junior Leader Fun Day: Students in grades 7–12 can learn more about the Junior Leader program beginning at 5 p.m. at the LSU AgCenter in Mansura. The evening will include games, food and activities while introducing students to leadership, community service and event-planning opportunities.
• Oct. 3 — Generals of Hope Night of Hope Bingo: The third annual event will be held at the Rateau Center in Hessmer. Doors open at 5 p.m. and bingo begins at 6 p.m. Admission is $20. Proceeds will benefit Miles Perret Cancer Services and MD Anderson, helping cancer patients during treatment and supporting breast cancer research.
• Oct. 3 — Couyons of Comedy at the Fox Theatre: The Couyons of Comedy return to downtown Marksville with an all-new Season 2 show featuring Louisiana-style comedy, audience participation, giveaways and new material. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the show beginning at 7 p.m. General admission is $30.
• Oct. 3 — Bunkie Trade Days: The Bunkie Chamber of Commerce will hold its 8th Annual Bunkie Trade Days from 7 a.m.–3 p.m. along Main Street. The event will feature a flea market, food, arts and crafts and a variety of vendors.
• Oct. 3 — St. Joseph 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run: St. Joseph Catholic School in Plaucheville will kick off its fair festivities with a 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. in the school gym parking lot, and the run starts at 8 a.m. Registration is $25 and includes a T-shirt.
• Oct. 4 — Holy Ghost Fall Dinner: Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Marksville will serve barbecue pork and chicken with trimmings from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Holy Ghost Gym. Tickets are $13 per plate, and a bake sale will also be held.
• Oct. 8 — Pink October Ladies Night Out: The Pink October Crusaders and Avoyelles Hospital will host the 31st Annual Pink October — Ladies Night Out BINGO and Shopping Extravaganza at the Mari Center at Paragon Casino Resort beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets are $30 and include 20 bingo games, with vendors also available for shopping. Proceeds support local individuals battling cancer.
• Oct. 17 — Sacred Heart 5K & Color Run: Sacred Heart School in Moreauville will hold a 5K Run/1 Mile Fun Color Run as part of its fall festival weekend. Registration is from 7–7:45 a.m., with the race beginning at 8 a.m. The entry fee is $25, and those registered by Oct. 1 will receive a T-shirt.
• Oct. 24–25 — Big Cane Baptist Church celebrates 180 years: The Morrow church will mark 180 years of faith and fellowship with a special homecoming weekend. The church is also offering a commemorative cookbook, “180 Years of God’s Grace... an’ Good Cookin’,” featuring more than 700 recipes, historic church photographs and Bible verses.
• Throughout October — Farm to School Month: Avoyelles students can participate in Louisiana’s Farm to School Challenge, themed “You’ve Gourd to Try It,” focusing on winter squash. Students in grades K–12 can also enter the Louisiana Farm to School Art Contest, with 13 winning entries selected for the 2027 calendar. The art contest deadline is Oct. 28.
• Ongoing — Rural Healthcare Study: The Avoyelles library is partnering with LSU’s School of Information Studies to hear from Avoyelles Parish residents age 65 and older about healthcare and technology in rural Louisiana. Participants will take part in a confidential 30- to 45-minute conversation, either at the library or through Zoom.
• Ongoing — Atchafalaya River Rescue needs fosters: The Simmesport-based rescue has temporarily closed intake after becoming overwhelmed with dogs needing care. The foster-based nonprofit says additional foster homes could help it resume helping more animals in the future.

🗳️ Important Fall Election Dates

Louisiana’s next election is Tuesday, Nov. 3. The deadline to register in person, by mail or through the Office of Motor Vehicles is Oct. 5, while online registration through GeauxVote closes Oct. 13. Early voting will be Oct. 20–27, excluding Sunday, Oct. 25, from 8:30 a.m.–6 p.m.

The next election will be Saturday, Dec. 12. The in-person/by-mail registration deadline is Nov. 12, the online registration deadline is Nov. 21, and early voting will be Nov. 28–Dec. 5, excluding Sunday, Nov. 29, from 8:30 a.m.–6 p.m.

Louisiana Secretary of State election information

From benefits and church fairs to 5Ks, bingo, youth programs and community events, there’s plenty happening around Avoyelles!