Happy Friday, Central Louisiana! We hope you had a great week.
Before we get started, we wanted to let you know that in this past Monday’s newsletter, you may have noticed that it cut off after the Avoyelles or Allen Parish events, depending on which device you viewed the email on. The reason for this is because that was our longest newsletter to date, and email service providers like Gmail clipped it due to the larger file size. If you did not see the full newsletter, you can do so by clicking “View entire email” on the bottom of the email to read the remainder of it, or you can simply view it here.
Now scroll down and enjoy the weekend ahead!
In today’s edition:
Lake Buhlow Reopening
Weekend Bites: Palmettos Cenla
Multiple Weekend Events
New Community Photo Board
Job Opportunities
— The Know Cenla Team
Cenla Digest
Lake Buhlow Reopening Saturday
Lake Buhlow is set to reopen this Saturday morning—just in time for your Labor Day weekend plans.
The lake was temporarily closed earlier this week after a large number of dead mussels washed ashore. Concerned about potential risks, Pineville’s Parks & Recreation team alerted wildlife authorities and paused access while tests were underway.
State wildlife scientists determined the cause was a natural one: a combination of warm late-summer temperatures and low-oxygen conditions led to the mussel die-off. Importantly, there’s no evidence that pollution or any danger to swimmers was involved.
Cleanup crews have since removed the mussels and confirmed the water is safe. With everything checked off, the lake is ready to welcome visitors once again starting Saturday morning, August 30.
Weekend Bites: Palmettos Cenla
Source: Palmettos Cenla, Google Maps
Palmettos Cenla: A Refreshing Treat for Labor Day Weekend
As Labor Day weekend arrives, many of us are looking for a simple way to cool down, relax, and enjoy the last stretch of summer. If you’re in the Pineville area or planning to pass by this weekend, Palmettos Cenla should absolutely be your go-to place to grab a sweet treat.
Here’s why it stands out:
Authentic, finely-shaved ice: Far from your typical snow cone stand, Palmettos serves soft, island-style ice that melts perfectly with every bite.
A variety of flavors to explore: From timeless favorites like Tiger’s Blood to indulgent cream-topped blends, there’s an option for all taste buds.
The perfect answer to the heat: If you’re looking for a place to treat your kids on the way to the lake, or just want to try their shaved ice for yourself while sitting out by the pool, Palmettos Cenla is absolutely worth a visit to help cool off this weekend.
A welcoming local atmosphere: Palmettos has quickly become a place where community and comfort meet. Go check out their Facebook to see what we’re talking about.
Tip: We highly recommend that you try the strawberry cheesecake flavor with cream on top. 10/10!
Where: 1319 Military Hwy, Pineville, LA, 71360
Find out more: Check their menu and hours →
Cenla Events
Here are some notable events happening around Cenla this week, sorted by parish:
Rapides Parish:
Keep Jammin’ Fest 2025 | 6PM-10PM, Aug 29 (More Info)
Location: Huckleberry Brewing Company, 4724 Sterkx Rd, Alexandria, LA 71301
Description:
Friday’s Music Lineup:
6:00 - 7:45pm - The Superchargers, an all around blues rock band!
8:15 - 10:00pm - Gypsy Blue, a big time local 90s band reuniting with alternative rock!
What is Keep Jammin?
The focus of this fest is to help provide musical instruments for kiddos and schools right here in Central Louisiana! To date, Huckleberry has been able to raise over $35k and provided all sorts of instruments to help get some music programs rolling right here in our hometown of Alexandria! This year, we’re lookin' forward to working with our community and want to thank Cleco for sponsoring this event. We hope to see you out!
Proceeds from the fest will directly contribute to the Keep Jammin' for Kids Fund with the Central Louisiana Community Foundation.
Creative Con 2025 | 9AM-1PM, Aug 30 (More Info)
Location: 5416 Provine Pl, Alexandria, LA, 71303
Description: RPL’s “Creative Con” is our library’s friendly neighborhood Comic Con. This year’s theme is Pokémon! We’ll be painting baseball caps with fabric paint and stencils to make Pokémon-themed baseball caps. We will have games throughout the library such as a scavenger hunt, cosplay bingo, and Jeopardy to win themed prizes. Our cosplay contest will be at noon for a chance to win BAM gift cards. The categories are: kids (under 13), teens (13 and over), and adult for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place prizes.
And of course, we’ll have vendors, virtual reality, Mario Kart/Pokémon mini Stadium Games, and concessions and ice cream available for purchase. (Ice cream will be available after 11 from Mz Breezes Ice Cream Truck.) We hope to see you at Westside Regional Library over by the Coliseum!
AMoA: Muse Printmaking Workshop | 1PM-4PM, Aug 30 (More Info)
Location: Alexandria Museum of Art
Description: Teens will learn printmaking during this workshop, inspired by works in AMoA’s September Competition.
This event is FREE to teens between the ages or 13 and 19. The youngest participants must have turned 13 within a month of this event to participate.
Grant Parish:
Colfax Farmers Market | 10AM-1PM, Aug 30 (More Info)
Location: 611 8th Street, Colfax, LA 71417
Description: Go checkout the the Colfax Farmers Market this Saturday from 10AM to 1PM!
Natchitoches Parish:
Cane River Zydeco Festival & Poker Run | 6PM-10PM, Aug 29-30 (More Info)
Location: 780 Front Street, Natchitoches, LA, 71457
Description: Get ready to dance the night away at the 2025 Cane River Zydeco Festival! Join us along the beautiful Cane River for a weekend of high-energy Zydeco music, delicious Louisiana cuisine, vibrant local culture, and fun for the whole family. Experience the sights, sounds, and flavors that make Natchitoches come alive — where the music never stops and the good times roll!
Picnic and Painting with Morgan Lasyone | 9AM-4PM, Aug 30 (More Info)
Location: 524 Front Street, Natchitoches, LA, 71457
Description: Ages 4-10: 9AM-11AM. Ages 11-15: 2PM-4PM
Winn Parish:
Have an upcoming event in Winn Parish? Submit it by clicking the button at the end of this section.
LaSalle Parish:
Have an upcoming event in LaSalle Parish? Submit it by clicking the button at the end of this section.
Catahoula Parish:
Have an upcoming event in Catahoula Parish? Submit it by clicking the button at the end of this section.
Concordia Parish:
Have an upcoming event in Concordia Parish? Submit it by clicking the button at the end of this section.
Avoyelles Parish:
Indoor Pool Party at the Paragon Casino | 2PM-6PM, Aug 30 (More Info)
Location: Paragon Casino Resort
Description: Make a SPLASH at Paragon Casino Resort with new WEEKLY pool parties!
Alligator Feeding Show | 4PM-4:30PM, Aug 30 (More Info)
Location: Paragon Casino Resort
Description: Join us the last Saturday of each month for our free live alligator feeding show in the hotel atrium . Bring the kids for photos with a baby gator and “holding snake” after each show! You will also hear traditional songs and stories of south Louisiana’s flora and fauna performed by Tunica-Biloxi tribal members Donna Pierite and family.
Allen Parish:
Have an upcoming event in Allen Parish? Submit it by clicking the button at the end of this section.
Vernon Parish:
Leesville Derby Queen Pageant 2025 | 10AM & 5PM, Aug 30 (More Info)
Location: 608 Nolan Trace, Leesville, LA, 71446
Description: The 2nd annual Derby Queen pageant will be held August 30, 2025, at the Leesville Event Center.
All Parishes:
LSU vs. Clemson | 6:30PM, Aug 30 (More Info)
Description: No need to write a description on this. LSU by 40.
Have an upcoming event in Cenla? Submit it by clicking the button below:
Community Photo Board
We’re excited to launch this brand-new section in the newsletter—the Community Photo Board! Each edition, we’ll feature up to 4 submissions that capture the people, places, and moments that make Central Louisiana special.
Wanna be featured? Send us your favorite photo from around Cenla and it might appear in this upcoming Monday’s issue!
Job Board
Material Yard Handler - Crest Industries, Pineville, LA (Apply)
Customer Service Representative - Evangeline Bank & Trust Company, Alexandria, LA (Apply)
Production Team Member - RoyOMartin, Chopin, LA (Apply)
Thanks for voting on our idea for the Cenla Discount Card! It was essentially a 50/50 split on those of you who said yes and those of you who said maybe. Because of the clear demand/curiosity of the idea becoming a reality, we are actively working to reach out to local business owners around Cenla to see if they would be interested in partnering with us. We’ll keep you updated as time goes on!
Have a great Labor Day weekend, Cenla! See you Monday morning at 8AM!
— The Know Cenla Team
