February/Carnival Season
Mardi Gras Parades
Put on your best purple, green and gold and prepare to yell, “Throw me something, mister!”, as DeSoto Parish celebrates Mardi Gras. Enjoy colorful floats as they roll through downtown in Mansfield’s Krewe of Demeter parade and Logansport’s Krewe of Aquarius parade. See how these charming small towns welcome Louisiana’s signature celebration.
February/March
Barber Sand Bass Jackpot
Test your luck at catching sand bass at the annual Barber Sand Bass Tournament in Logansport. The fun begins at Dennis Freeman Memorial River Park on the riverfront. The tournament is timed with spawning season for sand bass, a hard-fighting fish also known as white bass. There is no need for a boat to enter this family friendly tournament. Drop a line from the shore.
Dennis Freeman Memorial River Park
Logansport, LA
(936) 254-5005
April
Battle of Pleasant Hill Reenactment
Held on the actual battlefield where the battle took place, the Battle of Pleasant Hill Reenactment retells this dramatic face-off between the Union and the Confederacy, which took place on April 9, 1864. Along with reenactments on Saturday and Sunday, the weekend includes numerous other educational and festive events, including guest speakers, a period dress ball and family friendly activities.
23271 Highway 175
Belmont, LA
(318) 658-5785
River City Fest
There’s no shortage of fun at Logansport’s annual River City Fest, a vibrant gathering held on the banks of the Sabine River at Dennis Freeman Riverfront Memorial Park. The family friendly event includes a carnival, walk-a-thon, parade, treasure hunt, live music, arts and craft booths, food, a car show, face painting, a cornhole tournament and a pageant. When the sun goes down, enjoy fireworks and dancing in the street to a live band.
102 Veterans' Park Memorial Drive
Logansport, LA
(318) 697-5359
June
Mansfield’s Juneteenth Celebration
Honoring the end of slavery in the United States, the Mansfield Juneteenth Celebration is a three-day event in June complete with live zydeco, blues, hip hop and gospel music on the Courthouse Square in downtown historic Mansfield. Join in Sunday’s parade as well!
DeSoto Parish Courthouse Square
Mansfield, LA
(318) 461-5775
Balloons over DeSoto
Louisiana’s blue skies are awash in color during the Balloons over DeSoto event. The event features hot air balloons launching and landing at the C. E. “Rusty” Williams Airport in Grand Cane. Curious about what it’s like to ride? Both tethered and untethered balloon rides are offered for a fee. The festival also includes an aerial display, skydivers and night ballooning set to music. On the ground, enjoy live bands and children’s activities that include a bouncy house and petting zoo.
211 Independence Avenue
Grand Cane, LA
(225) 871-7915
July
Rickey Warren Memorial Fireworks Show
Celebrate the Fourth of July on the Logansport riverfront with live music, food and a colorful pyrotechnic display over the Sabine River. The free Rickey Warren Memorial Fireworks Show takes place every year and is put on by the DeSoto Fire Department. Watch from the riverfront or even from a boat.
102 Veterans' Park Memorial Drive
Logansport, LA
(318) 697-5359
Bayou Blitz Junior Livestock Show
Come out to the David Means 4-H Complex and see talented Louisiana youth as they show livestock in three categories: swine, sheep and goats. You’ll marvel at these cuddly creatures and the skills young people demonstrate in raising them. The Bayou Blitz is a Louisiana Junior Show Circuit-sanctioned event.
10117 Hwy 171
Grand Cane, LA
(318) 245-3161
October
50 Mile Trail of Treasure
Shop til’ you drop at the annual 50 Mile Trail of Treasure, which takes place every second weekend in October. Start in Stonewall, then shop your way through Grand Cane, Mansfield, Stanley, Logansport, and Joaquin for a variety of experiences. Visit merchants and restaurants, vendors booths, garage sales, bake sales, sidewalk sales and more.
Begins in Stonewall, LA
I-49 at Hwy 3276
(318) 773-7660
November
Logansport Christmas Festival
Christmas is aglow in downtown Logansport from late November to early January with thousands of twinkling lights illuminating the riverfront and its surrounding blocks. The annual event includes a series of Christmas happenings, including movies on lawn, live music and the Trade Day, a shopping bazaar with local vendors.
Logansport Riverfront Park
Logansport, LA
(337) 739-4173
December
Christmas Parades in Grand Cane, Stonewall and Mansfield
Hear the marching band, see St. Nick and catch candy and beads as holly jolly floats roll by in old fashioned community Christmas parades in DeSoto Parish. On the first Saturday in December, both the Grand Cane Christmas Parade and the Stonewall Christmas Parade take place, delighting spectators with seasonal cheer. The Mansfield Christmas Parade takes place on the second Saturday of December, ringing in the season with a parade featuring local school marching bands, floats, fire trucks, dancers and more.
Grand Cane Christmas Parade
Downtown Grand Cane
(318) 858-3251
Stonewall Christmas Parade
North DeSoto Schools Complex
(334) 590-9962
Mansfield Christmas Parade
From old Wal-Mart to Mansfield Courthouse
(318) 872-0406
