July is traditionally a hot, perhaps hottest, of months. Many parents are looking for cool ways to help children enjoy their summer school holidays. Consider some of the wonderful museums, all air conditioned, in Avoyelles, ready to welcome you. 

In Marksville, St. Joseph Church, whose roots go back to 1797, is a beautiful house of God. St. Joseph, second oldest church in Avoyelles, after St. Paul Catholic, in Mansura, offers a 40 x 24 foot mural, painted in a renovation in 2007. The mural depicts the Ascension of the Lord, as foretold at the end of Luke’s gospel, which indicated our Lord’s appearance to the eleven apostles. The magnificent mural, on the back wall of the sanctuary, shares the interior with ten Corinthian topped columns, and beautiful stained glass windows which depict the mysteries of the rosary on the north and south walls. A large rosette window crowns the entrance of the church and serves as a colorful backdrop for the choir loft. The Church is an experience and an opportunity for children to see the beautiful work of the talented hands of many artists.

For information on many other wonderful museums and sights, stop at the Avoyelles Tourist Commission office. We will be delighted to help you plan a great day.

Fourth of July celebrations are such joyous, happy affairs filled with family visits, fresh food, parades and fireworks.  Marksville, parish seat of Avoyelles Parish, hosts one of the longest running Independence Day celebrations in Louisiana. Since 1950, Marksville has thrown a wonderful party every July 4th, and this year is no exception. The city of Marksville, the Marksville Chamber of Commerce, and the Paragon Casino and Resort invite everyone to participate in the parade or to enjoy it as a spectator. The parade, with lovely, decorated floats, and beautiful queens and other royalty, is always a pleasure to behold.

The Marksville parade will begin at 1:00pm. For information concerning entry into the parade, etc, please call the Marksville Chamber Of Commerce Office at (318) 253-0284. After the parade, a spectacular fireworks display will be held at 8:45pm. It’s a perfect end to a beautiful day.

For more information on Avoyelles Parish contact us at the Avoyelles Commission of Tourism. Write to us at 8592 Highway 1, Suite 3, Mansura  LA. 71350. Call Mary, Sara, Earline, Marie or Wilbert Carmouche, Tourism Director, at (800) 833-4195, or call us locally at (318) 253-0585; or visit us at www.travelavoyelles.com. Or e-mail us at [email protected].