Church Dinner Plates: On Sundays throughout September and October, churches across the parish serve home-cooked plate lunches, with proceeds supporting their communities. Look for them in Bordelonville, Echo, Moreauville, Plaucheville, and Cottonport.

Cochon de Lait & Homemade Cake: Fair season means cochon de lait dinners and slices of homemade cake.

Sweet Potato Harvest: Pork and sweet potatoes say "fall" in Avoyelles, where the sweet potato harvest is underway.

Down-Home Eating: From boudin and barbecue to spots like Juneau's, the food is relaxed and made for conversation. And don't skip the gas stations: Why Not has locations across the parish, and you'll want to look inside.

Broken Wheel Brewery: Marksville's local craft brewery and restaurant has a great outdoor patio, and possibly an Oktoberfest beer. The name nods to how Marksville began, when a Venetian trader's wagon wheel broke as he passed through.

Paragon Casino Resort: Dining, entertainment, and events throughout the fall. Check the Paragon Casino Resorts website for the current lineup.

Couillons of Comedy (Oct 3): Local Louisiana comedians take the stage at the Fox Theater on Washington Street in Marksville.

Bunkie Trade Days (Oct 3): A big flea-market-style event in downtown Bunkie with food, arts and crafts, and vendors, perfect for a Jefferson Highway pit stop.

Downtown Bunkie: Browse local shops, grab beignets and sweet treats at Griffin's, see the historic train depot, and visit Hoover's Five and Dime, a throwback favorite for holiday shopping. Don't miss the vintage-style gas station where an attendant pumps your gas, or the town's mascot, Bunkie the Monkey.

National Hunting and Fishing Day (Sept 26): A free event from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Outdoor Education Center in Woodworth, with fishing, archery, and shooting activities, exhibitions, and safety demonstrations for children and adults.

Big Bend Museum & Sarto Old Iron Bridge: Take the scenic Big Bend loop (LA 451) along the levee and farmland, with stops at the museum and the bridge.

Tunica-Biloxi Nature Trail: An elevated boardwalk of about a mile in the middle of Marksville that feels like the middle of the woods, with plenty of tree canopy.

Spring Valley Wildlife Management Area: A popular spot for hunting, fishing, and boating.

Grand Cote National Wildlife Refuge: Explore the recently redone Mark Dupuy walking trail for prairie and native plants, a more off-the-beaten-path option.

Natalie's Staycation Picks: A walk on top of the levee, a drive to pick up a Sunday dinner plate, and free outdoor yoga at Unity Park in Cottonport through the end of September.

Solomon Northup Trail: Follow the path of Solomon Northup to freedom. He regained his freedom in Marksville, where a monument was erected last year.

More Trails & Byways: Avoyelles is also on the Louisiana Colonial Trail, the Zachary Taylor Parkway, and the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area, with Simmesport as its gateway to the Atchafalaya.

The Jefferson Highway: The historic drive from Winnipeg, Canada, to New Orleans runs through Avoyelles Parish.

1927 Flood Centennial: Natalie shares that the parish has things in the works for next year's centennial of the Great Flood of 1927.

Swamp Pop, Zydeco & French Folk Songs: Natalie's playlist includes swamp pop, Zydeco, and very old French folk tale songs, plus local swamp pop legend Tommy McLain.

Plan Your Avoyelles Parish Visit & Get Event Info: https://travelavoyelles.com/

Find the Events Page: https://travelavoyelles.com/events

Last Month's Episode on Fall Events & Fairs: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/fall-in-avoyelles-parish-louisiana-2026

Listen to new episodes and follow the Travel Avoyelles podcast: https://travel-avoyelles.podbean.com/