LOUISIANA LEGENDS FESTIVAL
It all started with a simple question.
During a conversation with longtime friend Jack Hightower,
Grammy-winning bluesman Bobby Rush asked, “When are you going to tell my story?” That question sparked more than just reflection—it lit the fuse for a movement.
Back in Homer, Louisiana, the idea took root and quickly grew. What began as a conversation turned into the Louisiana Legends Festival (LLF)- a celebration of the extraordinary talent and culture that has emerged from Claiborne Parish.
A Celebration of Community
The Louisiana Legends Festival is more than an event. It’s a grassroots celebration of music, food, art, and local pride. Created by a passionate group of community members and organized by the Claiborne Unite Foundation, Inc.- a 100% volunteer nonprofit- the festival is dedicated to boosting economic development and supporting charitable causes in the region.
From the beginning, local support has been overwhelming, drawing resources and energy not only from Claiborne Parish but across the state. Tourism grants, private donors, and dedicated sponsors have helped the festival grow—honoring legendary musicians, educators, athletes, and community leaders while spotlighting rising stars.
Why You’ll Love It
Best of all? The festival is free to attend. While paid ticketed areas and VIP seating are available, general admission is free of charge.
Whether you stay for an hour or the whole day, there’s something for everyone: multiple music stages, local artisan booths, delicious food, and the kind of small-town hospitality that makes Claiborne Parish shine.
And the food? You won’t find chain restaurants here. LLF features unique, lovingly prepared dishes at family-friendly prices. Every bite is a taste of the community.
A Festival That Gives Back
What makes LLF truly special is how it reinvests in the community. Local nonprofits and churches can sign on as Community Partners, earning funds through food booths, vendor sales, and volunteer hours. It’s a circle of generosity: the festival attracts visitors, who support vendors and charities, who then pour those funds back into the region.
Local students also get involved as volunteers, gaining valuable soft skills and a stronger connection to their hometown.
A Living Legacy
Each year, LLF honors a Louisiana Legend—someone whose story deserves celebration. Public nominations open in February, and the honoree is revealed on festival day. It’s one of the many ways LLF stays true to its mission: honoring the past while inspiring the future.
The goal? To draw just 1% of the 700,000 people who live within driving distance of Claiborne Parish to the festival each year. And with growing attendance and acclaim, that dream is within reach.
Join the Story
The Louisiana Legends Festival is more than an event—it’s a shared story still unfolding. Sparked by a simple question, it’s grown into a vibrant celebration of heritage, creativity, and connection.
So, mark your calendar, grab your friends, and come be part of a legend in the making.
WITCHES RIDE OF MINDEN
As autumn sweeps across North Louisiana, the Witches Ride of Minden returns in 2025—an enchanting fusion of pageantry, philanthropy, and community spirit. Born out of a storied Southern Halloween tradition, this event has quickly become one of the region’s most eagerly anticipated fall gatherings.
Though Minden’s version is young, the concept behind it has deeper roots. The Witches Ride concept originated more than three decades ago in Seaside, Florida, and has since spread across the Southeast as a whimsical womenled parade that combines costuming, bicycle (or golf cart) rides, and charitable giving. The event was first introduced in Minden in 2023 by Pearls of Purpose, a local nonprofit formed to create fun, familyfriendly events that uplift the community.
Mark Your Calendars!
Saturday, October 25, downtown Minden will come alive with witches, cackles, and costumes. The ride is open to women 18 and older, though spectators—spouses, children, friends—are wholeheartedly encouraged to join in for the block party. Postride festivities will include music, food vendors, costume contests, and “witchy” surprises in a festival atmosphere at Miller Quarters and surrounding streets. Previous years have drawn 300–400 participants and raised thousands for local causes (the 2024 ride raised $12,500).
Why You’ll Want to Attend?
The Witches Ride is more than a costume parade—it’s a celebration of community. It’s the night when downtown Minden transforms into a spellbinding stage, where creativity, Halloween fun, and philanthropy meet. Your participation supports local charities, strengthens civic pride, and injects a dose of magic into a crisp October evening. Whether you ride, spectate, or dance in the block party, you’ll leave with smiles, new friends, and the warm glow of having helped those in need.
Don your hat, polish your broom—or bike—and join the coven that’s casting a spell on Minden, one magical stride at a time.
BREWS AND ROUX
Sign up to be a competitor! Deadline 10/24/25
Get ready to savor the flavors of Louisiana at the inaugural Brews and Roux, a thrilling gumbo competition hosted by Flying Heart Brewing and Pub in West Monroe! This free event invites food lovers and craft beer enthusiasts alike to indulge in a culinary showdown featuring the best gumbo recipes from local chefs and home cooks.
- Date: November 8, 2025
- Time: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
- Location: Flying Heart Brewing and Pub, West Monroe, LA
- Admission: Free!
- Attendees: Pay $10 to receive four sample cups and a voting token to help crown the gumbo champ. Taste your way through an array of unique and traditional gumbo creations, then cast your vote for the best dish.
- Prizes: Winners will take home cash prizes, a coveted trophy, and, of course, bragging rights for the best gumbo in town!
Whether you’re a gumbo aficionado or just looking for a fun day out, Brews and Roux promises to be an unforgettable experience filled with delicious food, great beer, and community spirit. Bring your friends and family, and join in a celebration of culinary creativity and local talent!
CHENNAULT FEST
Nell Calloway and the Chennault Aviation Museum
Step into the Chennault Aviation & Military Museum in Monroe, Louisiana, and you’re immediately surrounded by stories of bravery, sacrifice, and innovation—from World War I through present-day conflicts. At the heart of it all is Nell Calloway, granddaughter of General Claire Chennault, who leads the museum as President and CEO with a passion that is both deeply personal and universally inspiring. However, she doesn’t do this alone and will be the first to give credit to her team.
Nell’s mission is simple yet profound: to make history come alive. With grace and a storyteller’s gift, she weaves together narratives that leave guests eager to know more—about her grandfather, the soldiers who fought for freedom, and the pivotal role Monroe played on the global stage. “It’s not just about facts and artifacts,” Nell explains. “It’s about the people. When you tell their stories, history becomes real, and that’s what inspires future generations.”
The Legacy of General Chennault
General Claire Lee Chennault is best known as the leader of the famed Flying Tigers, a volunteer air group that fought in China before the United States officially entered World War II. Few realize that America and China were allies during that time, fighting together against Japanese aggression. Chennault’s leadership and innovative tactics helped shift the war in Asia and secured his place in military history.
The museum’s bilingual Way of a Fighter exhibit, based on his 1949 book, offers a window into his vision and wartime strategy. Yet the museum goes beyond one man’s story—it honors every veteran, from the trenches of WWI to the sands of Iraq.
From Schoolhouse to Museum and More
The museum is housed in the last remaining classrooms of the Selman Field Navigation School, once the largest navigation training facility in the U.S. during WWII. Opening in 2000 with just 3,000 square feet, it has grown to 10,000 square feet of galleries with more than 11,000 artifacts.
Visitors can explore exhibits, view aircraft in the restoration park, and experience aviation firsthand through flight simulators. The museum also shares the story of how a Louisiana crop-dusting venture evolved into Delta Airlines, now one of the world’s largest carriers.
Beyond preserving history, the Chennault Museum actively serves veterans and families. Programs include:
- PTSD clinics and support groups for combat and non-combat veterans, first responders, and families.
- A Veterans’ Closet providing clothing and essentials.
- A partnership with the Library of Congress Oral History Project, preserving personal accounts of service.
- Local support through DAV Chapter 51, which secures more than $2 million annually in benefits for veterans.
Nell Calloway carries the honor of her family’s legacy with dignity and vision. Her team supports the mission she sets out to achieve, every day. Under her leadership, the museum has become far more than a collection of artifacts—it is a living tribute to courage, community, and service.
As Nell reminds us: “When we know our history, we understand who we are. And when we honor those who came before us, we are better prepared to face what lies ahead.” For Nell, these programs are an extension of her grandfather’s legacy—service to country and community.