City of Monroe, LA

The Origin Bank RiverMarket hosts the Coffee & Tea Festival: A Love Your Community Event on April 7, 2018 from 10am to 4pm.

The day will feature coffee, espresso and tea tastings from BeanFruit, Boona Bean, Caster & Chicory, CC's Coffee House, Community Coffee, Immersed, Miss Kay's Sweets & Eats, Organo, Railway Coffee, Rhino Coffee and Starbucks. Participants are coming in from Shreveport, LA to Jackson, MS to compete for Best Coffee, Best Tea, Best Cold Brew and People's Choice Award.

Ticketholders will have the opportunity to sample the best brews from each of the participants and then have the opportunity to vote for their favorite one. Voting opens at 10am and closes at 3pm.

Tickets for this event are $10 when purchased online at coffeeandtea2018.eventzilla.net. If additional tickets are available, they can be purchased at the event for $20. Tickets can be purchased and claimed from the white information tent located in the parking space 22 in front of the clock tower.

This event that is known for bringing together coffee and tea lovers from all over Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi is teaming up with Love Your Community to celebrate the work of non-profit organizations in the area.

Love Your Community is an organization designed to promote community pride in Ouachita Parish and surrounding parishes in Northeast Louisiana.

The non-profit organizations who will join us include Baptist Children's Home, Bayou Bully Rescue, Center for Children and Families, Christopher Youth Center, Downtown Monroe Alliance, Hidden Treasures Alzheimer's Respite Ministry, Louisiana Baptist Children's Home, Mercy Ministries, Mercy Multiplied, Our H.O.M.E., Our House, Salvation Army, Suitcases for New Places, The Assembly West Monroe, The Wellspring and more.

Rob Lloyd of the Mix 101.9 will be out from 11am to 3pm as our onsite DJ. Not only will music and savory java scents be offered, but handmade and healthy shopping will also be available. Items for purchase include handmade clay jewelry, homemade lip balms, essential oils, plants, herbs, bell peppers, starter vegetable plants, wreaths, handmade soaps, local photography, local arts and crafts, home décor, birdhouses and more.

Food truck row is back in action for another fun day offering a variety of flavorful meals for you to enjoy lunch. Cajun Will's Corndog, Etouffee Lady, Hot Diggity Dog, Kona Ice, Krayolla Snacks and Miss Kay's Sweets & Eats will be on-site with snacks and meals available for purchase.

Sponsors for this event are Bear's Towing, Choice Brands Inc., City of Monroe, Duck Commander, Johnny's Pizza House, Lagniappe Media, M&K House, Monroe Chamber of Commerce, Monroe Civic Center, Monroe-West Monroe CVB, Origin Bank, Ouachita Green, Sonic Drive In, Spa Bella, Spherion Staffing and Thrifty Nickel.

"We are happy to provide an opportunity for non-profit and service organizations to educate the public on what they do, and how we can all help. Make plans to come out and enjoy the food, music, shopping and tastings," describes Myra Gatling-Akers, RiverMarket Director.

The Origin Bank RiverMarket is a dog friendly location and bike racks are accessible. Parking is available at the north end of the RiverMarket and at many nearby locations including the Police Annex lot, Ouachita Grand Plaza, Bry Park and behind the Courthouse.

The event is rain or shine.

If you want to be a vendor and sell your merchandise, contact the RiverMarket Coordinator at 318.807.1735 or River.Market@ci.Monroe.La.US

For additional information and updates about the RiverMarket like us on Facebook at Downtown RiverMarket and Downtown Monroe, Instagram @downtown_monroe, or our event page at www.downtownrivermarket.com