By Jeanni Ritchie
As we try to squeeze out every last bit of summer, let’s look at August events to prolong our sunshine a little more!
Aug. 1: New Movie Release: Bad Guys 2
Aug. 1: New Movie Release: The Naked Gun
Aug. 1: Children’s Exploration Oasis (CEO) begins offering annual, monthly, and month-to-month all-you-can-play memberships with unlimited visits, Alexandria Mall
Aug. 1-2: Front Yard Food Trucks, 5233 Hwy 28 East Pineville, La, Angel’s Italian Ice & Drinks, Marky D’z Food Bus, Smokin Cajuns BBQ, The Sugar Shack, ShellShocked. For list of food trucks each week, sign up for newsletter here: eepurl.com/ic1gKr
Aug. 2: Bulls, Bands, and Barrels. Rapides Parish Coliseum, 6 PM
Aug. 2: Boost Mobile Back to School Backpack Drop, 12-4 PM, 1263 MacArthur Drive, Alexandria
Aug. 2: HAPPY 90th BIRTHDAY TO CONNIE THOMPSON of Gypsy Blue Antiques, Oakdale
Aug. 2: 2nd annual Resource R.O.D.E.O. For Service Members, Veterans, and Families, Alexandria Mall, 11 AM
Aug. 2: Back to School Splash Bash at Kees Park, 10 AM- 2 PM, hosted by City of Pineville (one of our favorite FREE places in Cenla!)
Aug. 2: AKA 48, Watch the MMA fight with the crowd, Paragon Casino Resort, Marksville, 6 PM
Aug. 2: Self-Care Saturday, Martin Library, 10-11 AM
Aug. 2: Crafty Saturday, Hineston Branch, 10:30-11:30 AM, Adults and Teens (meets every Saturday)
Aug. 2-4: Lagniappe Theatre presents Seussical the Musical! Visit lagniappetheatre.com for more info.
Aug. 3: 5th Annual Backpack Giveaway and Customer Appreciation by Tax Slayer, 88 MacArthur Drive, 2 PM (backpacks and supplies will be distributed)
Aug. 3: The Amazing Rhythm Disciples Concert, Calvary Baptist Church, 312 Hwy. 3191, Natchitoches, 6 PM
Aug. 4: City Park Players auditions for Neil Simon’s Rumors, 6 PM, 1101 4th St, Suite 201, Alexandria
Aug. 4: Church Artwork, Libuse Branch, 11-1 PM, Adults
Aug. 4: For the Love of Food, Main Library, 5:30-7:30 PM
Aug. 4: Chick-Fil-A Jackson and MacArthur: National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day. Those who place a Mobile-Thru order on the Chick-fil-A App will be sent a reward the next day for a free Chocolate Chunk Cookie.
Aug. 4: Chair Aerobics for Seniors, Robertson Branch Library, 9:30-10 AM
Aug. 4: Next Gen Kitchen, Teen Program at MLK Jr. branch, 3-4 PM
Aug. 4: Midstate Strong Fall open house for cheer, gymnastics, ninja, and tumbling, 5-7 PM. (Also on Aug. 6 and Aug. 8)
Aug. 5: Chick-Fil-A Jackson and MacArthur: Cow Bingo Night, 5:30-7 pm. Guests who win will have a chance to spin the wheel for a prize. Free Kid’s Meal with the purchase of an entrée meal.
Aug. 5: Bayou Bonds: What’s Your Game? Johnson Branch, 10-11 AM, Game playing for adults
Aug. 5: Life-Sized Hungry Hungry Hippos, Westside Regional Library, Children and Teens, 4-5 PM (Come on, Westside, Dave and Busters lets us grown-ups play this game too!!)
Aug. 6: Cenla Songwriting Circle, Fighting Hand Brewing Company, 6 PM
Aug. 6: Book a Movie: Matilda, MLK Jr. Library branch, 4-6:30 PM, adults and teens. Celebrate Book Lover’s Day with the film version of the beloved classic by Roald Dahl.
Aug. 7: Spirits Sunset Club: Sound of Change, 6-9 PM
Aug. 7: Blooming Body Wellness Studio Grand Opening, 1-2:30 PM, 4136 Jackson Street, Alexandria
Aug. 7: Stranger Things Trivia Night, Fighting Hand Brewing Company. Trivia continues every Thursday night at 7 PM. Bring your own food or order from outside food trucks.
Aug. 8: Highland Cow public painting class, Sunflower Van Geaux, 6 PM BYO food and drinks!
Aug. 8: Candiloro & Co. Photography Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting, 2-4 PM, 707 Main Street, Pineville
Aug. 8: Chuckleberry hosts comedian Neil Rubenstein, Huckleberry Brewing Co., 4724 Sterkx Road, Alexandria, 7 PM
Aug. 8: RHB Live, Bentley Mirror Room, 8 PM-12 AM
Aug. 8: New Movie Release: Freakier Friday (I’ve been waiting for this since the announcement two years ago!!)
Aug. 9: Back to School Family Day, 10 AM- 2 PM, Cotile Baptist Church, Boyce. Free backpacks, door prizes, waterslides, food, and treats.
Aug. 9: Cenla Kids Throwdown, Iron Boot fitness competition with divisions for ages 5-13, 1002 Bayou Place Road, Alexandria, 8 AM
Aug. 9: Buckeye High School Band Car Wash, 8 AM-5 PM, 715 Hwy 1207, Deville (Maybe it’s just me but I’m way more inclined to throw money in a bucket with wash rags than an empty one at a stoplight!)
Aug. 9: AMOA Second Saturday, free museum admission on the 2nd Saturday of each month, 10 AM- 4 PM
Aug. 9: Row-deo Quilting Class by Aunt Nell’s Quilt Shop, 1627 Highland Park Drive, Pineville, 10 AM- 2:30 PM
Aug. 9: Library Game Day, Central Louisiana Gamer’s Guild, Westside Library, 12-8 PM (Nicest group of people you’ll ever meet!)
Aug. 9: Alexandria Mall Back to School Event, 12-2 PM
Aug. 9: Sunset Swamp Paint and Sip, Louisiana Life Series hosted by Happily Feather After Crafts, Genghis Mongolian Grill, 6-8:30 PM (Go early enough to eat first! Cool experience!!)
Aug. 9: Color Me Happy toddler (and parent) art lessons at Sunflower Van Geaux, 10 AM. Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday morning following. Call 318-542-5200 for more info.
Aug. 11: Back to School Day for Rapides Parish students!
Aug. 11: Life-Sized Battleship, Robertson branch, 2:30-3:30 PM, Children and Teens
Aug. 11: Veterans Helping Veterans, MLK Jr. branch, 5-8 PM
Aug. 11: NEW PROGRAM: Cenla Healthy Start’s Cradle Connections for new parents (babies welcome too), Westside Library, 5:30 PM (will meet every 2nd Monday following) Refreshments, door prizes
Aug. 12: Chick-Fil-A Jackson and MacArthur’s Back to School Bash, 5:30-7 pm. Gear up for a return to school with a fun evening of activities. Free Kid’s Meal with the purchase of an entrée meal.
Aug. 12: Musical Bingo: One hit wonders, Johnson Branch, 10-11 AM, Adults
Aug. 13: Growing Herbs with Molly Lyles, Main Library, 1:30-4 PM, All Ages
Aug. 13: Cenla Women’s Connection, Prayer Connection, 10-11:30 AM. Free and open to the public. Make connections, meet new friends, find support. Location changes each month. This month: Red River Bank Operations Building, 1337 Center Ct, Alexandria.
Aug. 14: Spirits Sunset Club: Parker James, 6-9 PM
Aug. 15: Rick Adams Album Release, Fighting Hand Brewing Company, 6:30 PM
Aug. 15: Chick-Fil-A Jackson and MacArthur, Global Impact Ministries Community Care Event, 5-9 pm. Mention Global Impact Ministries when ordering in the dining room, drive-thru and the app and they will donate 15 percent of those sales to the ministry.
Aug. 16: CLUC Comedy Night, 3 Year Anniversary, Fighting Hand Brewing Company, 7:30 PM
Aug. 16: Rollin ‘Vettes 1st Annual Car Show and BBQ Cookoff, Rick’s Auto Sales 2, 5490 Coliseum Blvd, 8 AM- 2 PM
Aug. 16: Karaoke Night, 636 Lounge and Venue, 6 PM. 636 Bolton Avenue.
Aug. 16: The Nutcracker Open Auditions, Red River Dance Theatre, 9 AM, 1630 Military Hwy, Pineville (The most inclusive Nutcracker performance I’ve ever seen…they make dreams come true!)
Aug. 16: Girls Boss Brunch, The Royal Onion, 1235 Texas Ave, 10:30 AM- 12:30 PM, Network, Socialize and Slay! Call 318-895-0862 for more info!
Aug. 16: Make Your Own Pizza, JW McDonald Branch, 11-12 PM, Children
Aug. 17: Night of Worship, River Outreach Church, 6 PM. 711 Main Street, Pineville
Aug. 17: Paint Party at Sunflower Van Geaux featuring Stitch of Lilo and Stitch! 2-4 PM.
Aug. 19: Discover BCM (Baptist Collegiate Ministry) at LSUA. For incoming freshman and their parents. Enjoy a meal, make connections. 6 PM.
Aug. 19: Sunflower Van Geaux Art Lessons for kids begin. Ages 6-17. Every Tuesday and Thursday following 5-7 PM. Each class is a standalone, no commitment required. Call 318-542-5200 for more info.
Aug. 20: Oakdale Children’s Clinic Community Baby Shower
Aug. 20: Apple Volcano, Westside Library, 10-11 AM
Aug. 21: LCU On-Campus Student Jobs and Activities Fair, 10 AM
Aug. 21: Alexandria Ducks Unlimited Banquet with Stalekracker, Randolph Riverfront Center, 5:30 PM
Aug. 21-23: 2025 Louisiana Beekeepers Association Convention, Down South Bees, Country Inn and Suites. Begins Thursday at 1 PM.
Aug. 22: While We’re Waiting support group for grieving parents. 6 PM, Starfish Book Nook and Coffee Corner, Ball.
Aug. 23: Top Axe, Fundraiser Day for Cenla Pregnancy Center, 2-10 PM. Just mention you are there for CPC and 25% of your visit will go to them!
Aug. 23-24: Cotile Drag Race Champions, Cotile Lake
Aug. 24: Labor and Lattes: Starfish Ministries and Cenla Healthy Start. Mom Break, 2 PM, 6204 Monroe Hwy, Ball
Aug. 25: Sip N Paint, MLK Jr. branch, 5-8 PM, Adults
Aug. 26: National Dog Day, make a paper bag puppy puppet to celebrate! MLK Jr. branch, 4-5 PM, Kids
Aug. 26: Books & Bites! Alfred Boyce Wettermark Branch, 10 AM- Noon, Adults
Aug. 27: Board Games and Brews, Fighting Hand Brewing, 6 PM
Aug. 27: Book a Movie: A Minecraft Movie, MLK Jr. Adult and Teen, 5-7:30 PM
Aug. 28: Chick-Fil-A Jackson and MacArthur Cow Tales, 9-10 am. Join for a story time and some crafts.
Aug. 28: Opening Exhibition Exhibition featuring Clyde Downs, Margie Tate, and Robin & Robert Ratcliff, River Oaks Square Arts Center, Opening Reception: August 28, 5-7 pm; Exhibition displays: August 28 – October 11.
Aug. 28: All Hands In, CenLa Healthy Start in-person support group, Main Library 9:30-11 AM
Aug. 28: Honey the Highlander Paint and Sip, Happily Feather After Crafts, Genghis Mongolian Grill, 2977 LA-28, Pineville, 6-8:30 PM
Aug. 29: All Hands In, CenLa Healthy Start VIRTUAL support group, 9-10 AM. Call Nikki at 318-787-1452 to sign up.
Aug. 29- Sept. 1: Crooked Creek’s 50th Anniversary. Live music, beach, parade, cookoff. 1300 Sandy Beach Drive, Ville Platte
Aug. 30: Timmy’s Toys Community Resource Fair, Alexandria Zoo, 10 AM- 1 PM
Aug. 30: Taproom Dungeons and Dragons, Fighting Hand Brewing Company, 1-5 PM
Aug. 30: Rick Ross, Paragon Casino Mari Center, 8 PM
Aug. 30: Creative Con, Westside Library, 9 AM. This year’s theme is Pokémon.
If you have a September event you’d like promoted, please email me at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com
