10,000 expected for July 4 arts-music fest in Marksville

Get ready for company Markville, ‘cause plenty is coming.
The Marksville City Council agreed to rent three 20 x 80 ft. tents for the annual Avoyelles Arts & Music Fest (AAMF) on July 4th.
The cost is approximately $1,100 per tent, which includes delivery, set up and take-down. Van Roy, co-chair of the AAMF Committee, told the council that the hope and expectation is to make this event the primary July 4th celebration in the state. Last year’s festival attracted about 6,000 people. Organizers are expecting at least 10,000 this year.
Roy said local hotels are already reporting bookings for that weekend from people coming specifically for the event. Marksville has had a July 4th celebration since the 1950s but it has been enhanced in recent years with major entertaiment events in the downtown area.
The council also approved spending up to $2,500 for candy and trinkets to throw from floats for the July 4th parade. It was noted that the Fire Department has ordered fireworks for the occasion.