📣Upcoming Events in Da Parish

Upcoming events planned across Avoyelles Parish

Dream League 318 NFL Flag Football

• Registration is open for the 2026 NFL Flag Football season.
• The coed league is open to children ages 4 to 15.
• Season dates are Aug. 11 through Oct. 11.
• Games will be held at the Cecil J. Picard Recreational Center, 5197 LA Hwy. 115 in the Bay Hills.
• Registration is $110 per child, and sibling discounts are available.
• Registration deadline is July 14.
• The all-player combine will be held July 14.
  • 6U and 8U: 4:30 p.m.
  • 10U: 5:45 p.m.
  • 12U and 14U: 7 p.m.
• Combine attendance is mandatory for all registered players.
• Register online at www.thedreamleague318.com.
• For more information, call 318-794-0151 or 318-264-1127.

Immaculate Conception Church Vacation Bible School

• Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Dupont will host Vacation Bible School July 15, 16 and 17.
• Time is 9 a.m. to 12 noon each day.
• The theme is “Illumination Station,” based on John 8:12.
• The program will be held at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Hall.
• Open to children ages 4 to 10.
• Lunch will be provided.
• Cost is $10 per child.
• Participants are asked to pre-register by July 7.
• For more information, contact Linda Bordelon at 318-717-3495.

Avoyelles Parish public school registration

• Avoyelles Parish public schools will begin the 2026-2027 school year Thursday, Aug. 6.
• The school year is scheduled to end May 26, 2027.
• Families enrolling new students or completing returning student registration should visit www.avoyellespsb.com/studentregistration.
• Back-to-school resources will be updated at www.avoyellespsb.com/backtoschool.
• The site includes school supply updates, fee schedules, dress codes, open house dates and transportation information.
• Families with questions should contact their child’s school or the Avoyelles Parish School Board Central Office at 318-253-5982.

Christmas on the Bayou Pageants

• The 2026 Christmas on the Bayou Children’s Pageant and Queens Pageant will be held Saturday, July 18.
• Location is Cottonport Elementary School, 950 Lemoine Street in Cottonport.
• The pageants are hosted by the Cottonport Mayor’s Commission for Women.
• Registration for both pageants begins at 9 a.m.
• Children’s Pageant onstage contest begins at 10 a.m.
• Children’s divisions include Infant Miss, Tiny Miss, Toddler Miss, Petite Miss and Little Miss.
• Children’s division registration fee is $60.
• Queens Pageant interviews begin at 10 a.m.
• Queens Pageant onstage contest begins at 4 p.m.
• Queens divisions include Deb Miss, Jr. Miss, Teen Miss, Miss and Ms.
• Deadline to enter is July 16.
• For more information, contact Alyssa Austin at 318-794-0311 or Jennifer Gauthier at 318-481-5853.

Avoyelles Parish Library summer reading events

• Avoyelles Parish Library will continue its 2026 Summer Reading Program through June and July.
• This year’s theme is “Plant a Seed, Read.”
• Events include crafts, educational programs, take-home activities and special presentations.
• Paper Craft will be held Wednesday, June 17:
  • 10 a.m. at the Marksville branch
  • 1 p.m. at the Effie branch
• Paper Craft will also be held Thursday, June 18:
  • 11 a.m. at the Mansura branch
  • 2 p.m. at the Bordelonville branch
• Library branches will be closed Friday, June 19.
• Sharpie Art and Maracas activities will be held the week of June 22-26 at several branches.
• For more information, call Avoyelles Parish Library at 318-253-7559 or visit avoyellesparishlibrary.org.

Moreauville VFD Black Pot Cook-Off

• The Moreauville Volunteer Fire Department will host a Black Pot Cook-Off and Community Event Saturday, July 25.
• The event begins at 9 a.m. at the fire department, 328 Main St. in Moreauville.
• The event is a fundraiser for the fire department.
• Activities will include food, family games, vendors, music, a black pot cook-off and cornhole tournaments.
• The Black Pot Cook-Off begins at 11 a.m.
• Judging is set for 4 p.m.
• Entry fee is $50 per team.
• Proceeds will support firefighter equipment, training programs and community outreach.
• For more information, contact Emily at 318-264-1353, Scott at 318-500-9049, Tiffany at 318-359-5999 or Brent at 318-717-2288.

Avoyelles Parish Library literary journal

• Avoyelles Parish Library is introducing its first literary journal.
• The journal will feature original work from local writers, artists and photographers.
• Submissions may include poetry, short stories, creative nonfiction, visual art and photography.
• All submissions must be original, unpublished and appropriate for a general audience.
• AI-generated or plagiarized content will not be accepted.
• Submissions are now open.
• Deadline to submit is Sept. 25 at 5 p.m.
• The literary journal launch will be held Dec. 5 at 10 a.m.
• For more information or to submit work, visit avoyellesparishlibrary.org/the-gator-gazette.

Back to Basics Youth Basketball Camp

• St. Joseph School in Plaucheville will host Back to Basics Youth Basketball Camp 2026.
• Camp dates are June 24-26.
• The camp will be held at the St. Joseph School gym.
• Open to boys and girls entering grades 1 through 8.
• Grades 1-4 will attend from 8 to 11 a.m.
• Grades 5-8 will attend from 12 noon to 3 p.m.
• Camp fees are $45 for the first child, $40 for the second child and $35 for the third child.
• For more information, contact Loretta Saucier at 318-305-8594 or Guy Lemoine at 225-301-0600.

AVP Future Stars Sports Camp

• AVP Future Stars will host its Sports Camp June 29 through July 1.
• The camp will be held at the Ronald Mayeux Sports Complex in Hessmer.
• Open to children ages 5 to 13.
• Camp hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day.
• Drop-off begins at 7:20 a.m.
• Cost is $140 per camper and includes lunch and a T-shirt.
• The event is presented by AVP Future Stars and the Town of Hessmer.
• For more information, contact AVP Future Stars at 318-264-1127, 318-359-4881 or avpfuturestars1@gmail.com.

Louisiana Master Gardener class

• A Louisiana Master Gardener class will be offered in Avoyelles Parish beginning Wednesday, Aug. 19.
• Classes will be held on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.
• Classes continue through March 3, 2027.
• The class will meet at the Avoyelles Parish Extension Office, 8592 Hwy. 1 in Mansura.
• The program will include four field trips.
• Cost is $175.
• A background screening is required.
• To register, contact Molly Lyles at mlyles@agcenter.lsu.edu.
• For more information or ADA accommodations, call 318-767-3964 no later than 10 days before the event.

Safe Sitter classes at Avoyelles Hospital

• Avoyelles Hospital will offer Safe Sitter classes July 7 and July 21.
• Classes will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the hospital conference room.
• The class is designed for students who may stay home alone, watch younger siblings or babysit.
• Classes will include games, role-playing exercises and hands-on practice.
• Registration fee is $50 and includes a Safe Sitter kit.
• Lunch and snacks will be provided.
• To register, visit the front lobby of Avoyelles Hospital from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• For more information, contact Tiffany Drouin at tdrouin@ahmgt.com.

Cruisin’ Back in Time Car Show

• The 2nd Annual Cruisin’ Back in Time Car Show will be held Saturday, Aug. 1, in Bunkie.
• Location is Griffin’s Service Station and Griffin’s Antiques, 302 SW Main Street.
• The event begins at 8 a.m.
• Gates open at 6:30 a.m. for registered vehicles.
• Same-day entries will be welcome.
• There is no registration fee or participation fee for car show entries.
• Admission is free to the public.
• Pre-registered car show participants will be eligible for $5,000 in cash drawings.
• Participants must be pre-registered by July 24 to qualify.
• For more information, call 318-346-5005.

Avoyelles Arts & Music Festival

• The 15th Annual Avoyelles Arts & Music Festival will be held Saturday, July 4.
• Location is Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville.
• The festival will celebrate the Fourth of July with music, arts, food, family activities, contests and patriotic fun.
• This year’s event will also recognize America’s 250th anniversary.
• The day will include:
  • AAMF 5K
  • Art of Baking Bake-Off Competition
  • Pop-Up Art Exhibition and Sale
  • Marksville Fourth of July parade
  • Car, motorcycle and Jeep show
  • Food trucks
  • Vendors
  • Children’s activities
  • Live music
  • Fireworks at nightfall
• General admission is $10.
• Children ages 4 and under are admitted free.
• For updates, visit www.avoyellesarts.com or follow Avoyelles Arts & Music Festival on Facebook.
• For general information, call Allison Augustine at 318-264-9392 or Van Roy at 318-240-3495.