In addition to all the great music, there will be plenty for the whole family to enjoy, including arts and crafts vendors, food vendors from all over the state, fun and games for the kids and art tents where children can create their own crafts. There will also be a welcome booth selling this year’s commemorative t-shirt and poster created by board member and renowned local artist Leah Moreau Morace.
The BCA sanctioned Avoyelles BBQ Cook-Off will begin on Friday, July 3rd, as grill masters from as far away as Texas and Mississippi will descend with their rigs to compete for $4,000 in cash prizes. There will be a festival kickoff party Friday night featuring Jonathan Bettevy and Parish Wide at 7:00pm. This event is free and open to the public.
The Avoyelles Arts & Music Festival takes place between Main and Washington streets in downtown Marksville and is situated on the grounds surrounding Fresh Catch Bistreaux and Broken Wheel Brewery. Opening ceremonies will begin at 10:00am the morning of July 4th with dignitary speeches and a performance of the “Star Spangled Banner” by Decades star Crisdensa Compton. At 6:00pm, Louisiana’s longest running July 4th Parade, sponsored by the Marksville Chamber of Commerce, will commence, departing from the Courthouse Square and rolling directly in front of the festival on Main Street. Festival grounds will close at 8:00pm, at which point many festivalgoers will migrate down Highway One to watch the city’s dazzling fireworks display. Indeed there is no better place to celebrate our nation’s birthday than downtown Marksville!
Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of Cenla’s civic and business community, AAMF is free and open to the public. For everyone’s safety, security will be enforced and no ice chests, golf carts or ATVs are allowed on festival grounds.