Black History Month is celebrated in February each year, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday is observed in January. After 23 years in Monroe and the surrounding areas, many are now realizing that near the last weekend in August, a Black Holiday has emerged. The Bayou Black Open Rodeo is held annually at the Monroe Civic Center. Cowboys and cowgirls come from several states, including Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, Oklahoma, and Tennessee, to name a few.
The celebration typically begins on Thursday when recreational vehicles start arriving at the civic center grounds. Usually, around 30 RVs are present. On Saturday morning, a parade takes place on the Southside of Monroe and moves toward the civic center. Trail Riders and various units participate by throwing candy to parade spectators, including both children and adults.
In addition to the parade, the highlight of the Black Holiday includes tailgating in the parking lot of the civic center, which spills over underneath the I-20 bridge. It’s exciting to see Black folks enjoying music, food, and spirits while celebrating and fellowshipping. On Saturday night, large crowds enjoy different events inside the civic center arena, making it the largest rodeo in Northeast Louisiana, Southern Arkansas, and Western Mississippi. Many outside the arena also continue to celebrate, and they have just as much fun. After the rodeo ends, the fun continues into the night at various venues throughout the local community.
What the Monroe-West Monroe Convention Center does not capture is the economic impact of the Black Holiday on our community. The number of hotel stays, shopping trips, restaurant visits, and gas purchases from out-of-towners is simply remarkable. This reminds me of times when ULM football teams had the largest crowds while playing HBCU teams. These HBCU teams usually brought the biggest turnout. The Black Holiday will continue to be something for all of us to look forward to in the years to come. That is why—We Love where we Live and Live where we Love!
