BOSS
Check out Fort Polk’s Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers. The organization offers single Soldiers the opportunity to volunteer, as well as participate in fun events. Don’t miss your chance to take part.
• BOSS meeting
If you are interested in participating in the BOSS program, attend the meetings held the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 10-11 a.m. at the Home of Heroes Recreation Center. The next meeting is March 27.
• Lemon lot
Trying to sell your vehicle? Bring it to the BOSS Lemon Lot. Registration is $5 for 30 days. Cars that are not registered will be towed. Register at the Home of Heroes Recreation Center.
• Volunteer opportunity
The BOSS program encourages you to donate your time to those in need. BOSS lends a helping hand at the DeRidder Soup Kitchen each Monday and Wednesday. Departure time is 4 p.m. from the Home of Heroes Recreation Center.
Festivals
• Crawfest
Crawfest is an admission free, family friendly event held March 22-23 at Shreveport's historic Betty Virginia Park from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Enjoy a long list of live entertainment thanks to a wide range of performances by local and regional talent. A family fun zone feature a kids carnival atmosphere, with bouncies, putt-putt, rock climbing and more. If you aren’t in the mood for crawfish, a wide range of other food opportunities is also available. For more information visit Facebook at Crawfest at Betty Virginia Park.
• Film Festival
If you love movies, you might enjoy the Cane River Film Festival March 22-23 in historic downtown Natchitoches. The event highlights the work of student/independent filmmakers and Natchitoches’ contribution to the film industry. The festival’s mission is to showcase, nurture and support emerging creative filmmakers. For more information visit http://www.caneriverfilmfestival.com
• Rabbit Festival
The Iowa Rabbit Festival takes place Thursday through Saturday at the Burton Coliseum Complex, 7001 Gulf Hwy., Lake Charles.
March 14 from 5 p.m.-midnight is free admission night. The carnival and vendors will be open and accessible, but the Burton Coluseum will be closed.
Today the festival takes place from 5 p.m.-midnight. Admission is $5 per person for those 12 years and older.
Saturday the festival opens at 10 a.m. and ends at midnight. Admission is $5 per person for those 12 years and older.
Live entertainment includes local musicians Dustin Sonnier, Wayne Toups, Jamie Bergeron and more.
For more information visit www.iowarabbitfestival.org.
• Nursery Festival
Get a jump start on your spring planting at the 34th annual Louisiana Nursery Festival today through Sunday in Forest Hill. Hours are today and Saturday from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Vendors host booths offering a wide variety of handmade crafts and other wares. In addition, it’s hard to decide which beautiful plants to take home. All types of shrubs and trees are available in a variety of sizes. Rose bushes, especially the disease resistant Knock-Out Rose, are offered in a host of colors.
Also, be sure not to forget your bedding plants that provide color to your garden all summer long. If you are stumped as to what to plant and where, just ask one of the garden experts available on site.
Equipment displays line the back of the grounds with golf carts, lawnmowers, lawn care tools, tractors and pickup trucks for the man (or woman) to consider purchasing.
There'll be food booths that will be cooking items that will tantalize your taste buds. While doing all your shopping, the kids can enjoy the midway rides. For more information call (318) 452-2362.
Miscellaneous
• Azalea trail
Enjoy the first blooms of spring on the historic azalea trail. The Lafayette Azalea Trail winds through the historic districts, grand boulevards and streets of Lafayette; about 20 miles of floral splendor within the city's urban core. Some of the bushes are more than 80 years old. For more information visit https://azaleatrail.org/.
• Texas Hold ‘em
If you love a good game of poker, stop by Spare Time Lounge, 2087 Ninth St., Fort Polk, today at 6 p.m. to participate in a Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament. The event takes place every Friday at 6 p.m. There is a $20 buy-in and one $20 re-buy. Weekly prizes are awarded to the top three players. Call (337) 531-8139 for more information.
• Symphony feast
The Lake Charles Symphony hosts its annual Wild Beast Feast April 6 from 5-8 p.m. at VFW post 2130, 5676 Lake St, Lake Charles. The event features culinary creations of game including port, poultry and seafood from local cooking teams, with a dash of Cajun flair. Prizes will be awarded to the top three chef teams, as well as a people’s choice award. Live entertainment will be provided. General admission is $50 per person or $25 per student. For more information or to purchase tickets go to www.lcsymphony.com.
• Concert series
The City of Leesville, in conjunction with KJAE radio, hosts the 2019 Leesville Concert Series each Friday on the Polk stage in downtown Leesville at the corner of Texas and Fourth Streets at 6 p.m. The event includes live music, food trucks and encourages dancing. The lineup is as follows:
- April 5 — Casey Peveto Band
- April 12 — The jazz sounds of Robert Richard
- April 19 — Dani Lacour
- April 26 — Michael Kuk
- May 3 — Rootsicana.
Clubs
• Language club
Immerse yourself in learning a foreign language such as Russian, Spanish, Brazilian, Portuguese or Tagalog by attending the Language Immersion Table. The club meets the first Wednesday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. The next meeting is April 3. For more information call Miguel Moyeno at (636) 577-4274.
• Bass Masters
If you like to fish and want to be part of a group with common interests, the Fort Polk Community Bass Masters is the right club for you. The club meets monthly on the Tuesday before each tournament. Meetings are held at 7 p.m. at the New Llano American Legion, Post 387, 500 Vernon St., New Llano. The next meeting takes place March 26. The March tournament takes place on Sam Rayburn Lake March 30. The entry fee is $40 For more information call (337) 535-7591 or visit www.fortpolkcommunitybassmasters.com.
• Lose weight
Join Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) every Thursday at the Vernon Parish Library meeting room. Weigh in is from 5-5:50 p.m. The meeting starts at 5:50 p.m. For more information call (337) 208-0896.