This year Avoyelles will have a festival added to the Marksville Fourth of July activities which will compliment the long going July 4th Parade and fireworks in Marksville.

The festival is in downtown Marksville as the Avoyelles Arts Council presents the first annual Avoyelles Arts & Music Fest. Located between Main and Washington streets off of Highway 1 on the grounds behind Fresh Catch Bistreaux, this festival combines everything every self-respecting Louisianan loves; great music and great food in addition to arts, crafts and fun and games for the kids. The event begins today at 10:00am and lasts until 6:00m, in time for festival-goers to enjoy Marksville’s July 4th Parade and fireworks display.

Headlining the event are two of Louisiana’s finest musicians, including Grammy Award-winning Zydeco artist Chubby Carrier and rising country star, Avoyelles’ own Nashville star David St. Romain. The Elements, one of Louisiana’s hottest reggae bands, will also be performing in addition to the critically acclaimed and world-travelled TBC Brass Band from New Orleans. Local acts Southwind and Gerard ‘The Stump Jumper’ Dupuy kick off the festivities at 10:00am.



This spirited festival also features an IBCA sanctioned BBQ Cook-Off complete with custom trophies and $2,000 in cash prizes!.

There will be food and drink vendors on deck as well, including a restored antique beer wagon from Budweiser.

Rounding out the festivities are arts and crafts vendors and activities for the kids including face painting, a dunking booth, a rock wall and much more!

Organizers, led by local businessmen Van Roy (Bailey's) and Jonathan Knoll (Fresh Catch), want to bring back more of the family fun the Fourth of July use to offer in Marksville years ago.

The parade is the oldest continuous Fourth of July Parade in the state of Louisiana, according to Eleanor Gremillion, who was the chairman for many years. It began in the 1950s.

Fireworks have been shot by the Marksville Fire Department for decades. The fireworks show begins at dusk near the corner of Tunica and Preston.

Also going on today in Cottonport, the museum there is accepting items to be placed in a time capsule which will be opened in 25 years.