News
Kiroli Foundation & City of West Monroe to host historical tour at Hasley Cemetery on Nov 1
The Kiroli Foundation and City of West Monroe are pleased to announce a special living history tour of Hasley Cemetery on Saturday, Nov. 1. The second annual “Hasley: Voices of the Past” will be a ticketed twilight tour of portions of the cemetery featuring the final resting place of notable community figures. Their intriguing tales and legacies will come to life through storytelling by actors portraying a journey through time. The tour is written and directed by Kay LaFrance-Knight. Gayle Frick
Get Ready to Scream and Shine: Haunted Car Wash Benefits SYAA!
This October, experience bone-chilling scares as suds drip down your dirty vehicle. You will be terrified, but your car will be clean as a bone. The Strauss Youth Academy for the Arts (SYAA), in partnership with RocketFast! Car Wash, proudly presents the Haunted Car Wash—a spooky, interactive drive-thru experience that combines Halloween thrills with a sparkling clean finish – all to support the arts. The event takes place Friday, October 24, and Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at
Annual NELA Celtic Festival to be held this Saturday, Oct. 4 at Lazarre Park
The Kiroli Foundation is excited to announce the annual Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival (NELA Celtic Fest) will take place on Saturday, October 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Lazarre Park (703 Riverfront Street). Admission for this family-friendly event is $5 per person and free for children 10 and under. Attendees will enjoy live music, the Highland Games, food trucks, and demonstrations. Numerous artists, crafters and food vendors will be selling Celtic-themed and handmade items. The NELA
Art and Inspiration Fill the Streets at the October Gallery Crawl
Get ready for a night where art meets community! The Downtown Gallery Crawl rolls back into downtown Monroe and West Monroe on Thursday, October 2, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Visitors can wander through vibrant galleries, meet artists face-to-face, and even hop on a wagon ride for a fun trip between the two downtowns. The Crawl transforms both downtowns into creative hubs, where visitors can discover a wide range of artwork, experience live demonstrations, and enjoy the welcoming energy of the local
Stefan Nodarse Exhibition: “Pull-Tight Rhapsody”
The Arts Council is honored to showcase the work of Region 8 artist Stefan Nodarse in a solo exhibition here at The Gallery at 118 Cotton Street in Downtown West Monroe from September 30th - October 30th, entitled “Pull-Tight Rhapsody”. The opening reception will be held October 2nd from 5pm to 9pm with an artist talk at 6:30pm in conjunction with the Downtown Gallery Crawl! "As both an artist and educator, my work is driven by design and the arrangement of lines and shapes to create patterns and
ULM College of Pharmacy receives grant from Living Well Foundation
The University of Louisiana Monroe College of Pharmacy has been awarded a grant in the amount of $10,436 from the Living Well Foundation to support the Rural Health Stroke Education Project. The grant was recognized at a ceremony at the College of Pharmacy on September 17, 2025. The initiative focuses on education and technology to help frontline providers deliver lifesaving treatment faster and more safely. The Rural Health Stroke Education Project is led by Emily McGee, PharmD, BCEMP, BCPS,
Discover Monroe-West Monroe Announces 5th Annual MWM Pumpkin Decorating Contest
Discover Monroe-West Monroe (DMWM) is bringing back its pumpkin decorating contest to Ouachita Parish! The 5th Annual MWM Pumpkin Decorating Contest will take place starting Wednesday, Oct. 1 through Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. Individuals, businesses, or organizations throughout Ouachita Parish can carve, decorate, or paint their pumpkins. This year’s theme is Spooky Sports Tourism. The decorated pumpkin can represent any sport that participants choose. DMWM is encouraging participating pumpkin
Voith breaks ground on a multi-million-dollar expansion of West Monroe, Louisiana
On Sept. 10, 2025, Voith broke ground on a multi-million-dollar project that will expand and modernize its roll service center in West Monroe, Louisiana – adding more than 20 new jobs and supporting the local economy. “Today we broke ground on a project that demonstrates our commitment to listening and responding to our customers’ needs for mechanical roll service and the roll cover business,” said David Buchanan, President FRS North America, Voith Paper. “This expansion means that our growing team in
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Constitution Week at The Children's Museum
Join us for CONSTITUTION WEEK FUN 2025 September 16-21, 2025 The Children’s Museum is hosting our 2 nd Annual Constitution Week from September 16-21, 2025. Visitors of all ages will learn about the voting and democratic process, view beautifully framed replicas of the Bill of Rights and The Constitution, and vote in our voting booth! All activities are included in your admission fee. Our thanks to Judge Wendell Manning, Justice Jay McCallum, The Ouachita Parish Republican Women’s Club,
Celebrate and Support Foster Families at the Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum
The Center for Children & Families, in partnership with the Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum, is proud to announce a special Foster Family Day on Sunday, September 21, from 1–3 PM. This free event is designed exclusively for foster parents and children in care, offering both professional support and a day of connection for families who play a vital role in our community. The afternoon will feature a trauma-informed training session by Dr. Emily Jones, Clinical Director at The Center, tailored to the
