Northeast Louisiana Children's Coalition Hosts Dragon Boat Festival

Annual event celebrates community and raises funds for local youth programs.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 10:49pm

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A highly stylized, pop art-inspired image featuring a repeated pattern of a traditional dragon boat in bold, neon-like colors, conceptually representing the energy and community spirit of a cultural festival.The vibrant Dragon Boat Festival in West Monroe celebrates the region's cultural heritage and supports vital youth programs.West Monroe Today

The Northeast Louisiana Children's Coalition is hosting its annual Dragon Boat Festival this weekend in West Monroe. The festival features traditional dragon boat races, live music, food vendors, and family-friendly activities, all aimed at celebrating the region's diverse community and raising funds for the coalition's youth development programs.

Why it matters

The Dragon Boat Festival is a longstanding tradition that brings together people from across Northeast Louisiana to support local children's charities. The event highlights the region's cultural diversity while also providing critical funding for educational and recreational programs that serve underprivileged youth.

The details

The Dragon Boat Festival features teams of 20 paddlers racing traditional Chinese dragon boats across Bayou DeSiard. In addition to the races, the event includes live music, food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, and games and activities for children. Proceeds from the festival go directly to the Northeast Louisiana Children's Coalition, which uses the funds to provide scholarships, after-school programs, and summer camps for low-income families in the region.

  • The Dragon Boat Festival takes place this Saturday, April 19, 2026.
  • Registration for dragon boat teams closed last week.

The players

Northeast Louisiana Children's Coalition

A non-profit organization that provides educational, recreational, and social services to underprivileged children in Northeast Louisiana.

Deidra Adair

The executive director of the Northeast Louisiana Children's Coalition and the organizer of the Dragon Boat Festival.

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What they’re saying

“The Dragon Boat Festival is such an important event for our community. It brings people together to celebrate our diversity and culture, while also raising critical funds to support local kids.”

— Deidra Adair, Executive Director, Northeast Louisiana Children's Coalition

What’s next

The Northeast Louisiana Children's Coalition is still accepting volunteers to help with event setup, race management, and vendor coordination. Those interested can sign up on the coalition's website.

The takeaway

The Dragon Boat Festival is a cherished annual tradition that showcases the vibrant culture and community spirit of Northeast Louisiana, while also providing essential resources to support the region's underserved youth.