A Note from Beaux
Hey, Lake Charles —
October is showing up fast, and this weekend has a little bit of everything: McNeese heading to Baton Rouge, West Fest filling Pinederosa Park, pumpkin patches opening for the season, pets taking over Burton Coliseum, and spooky-season plans finally starting to feel real.
Instead of handing you a giant calendar and wishing you luck, I pulled out the handful of things that actually look worth knowing about this week — plus two October Saturdays you may want to save now.
Whether you’re making the drive to Tiger Stadium, staying close to home, or just looking for something fun to do with the family, there should be something in here for you.
This week: McNeese at LSU • West Fest • Pumpkin Patch Season • Lake Charles Pet Expo • Quick Hits • Two October dates to save
Here’s what’s worth knowing this week.
— Beaux LeBeak
The Big Thing
McNeese Heads to Tiger Stadium
Saturday, October 3 • 6:45 p.m. • Baton Rouge
Saturday night gives Southwest Louisiana one of those games that feels bigger than the final score. McNeese heads east to face LSU inside Tiger Stadium, putting plenty of Lake Charles blue and gold in Baton Rouge for the evening.
Kickoff is set for 6:45 p.m., with the game airing on SEC Network. McNeese also lists local radio coverage on 92.9 The Lake.
Whether you’re making the drive or watching from home, this is the Saturday-night plan that will probably have the most people around Lake Charles talking.
Game Details
McNeese at LSU
Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
Kickoff: 6:45 p.m.
Where: Tiger Stadium
TV: SEC Network
Radio: 92.9 The Lake
Make a Plan
Going or Staying Home?
Making the trip? Give yourself plenty of time for Baton Rouge traffic, parking, and the walk into Tiger Stadium.
Staying local? SEC Network makes this an easy watch-party game without having to spend Saturday on I-10.
Beaux’s Take: If you’re going to Baton Rouge, don’t treat this like a normal two-hour drive. If you’re staying home, call it a watch party and save yourself the parking headache.
West Fest returns to Pinederosa Park in Westlake on Saturday, October 3.
LCHappens illustration • Event details based on current 2026 listings
Featured
West Fest Returns to Pinederosa Park
Saturday, October 3 • Westlake
If you want something closer to home Saturday, West Fest gives Westlake a full afternoon and evening of live music, food trucks, local vendors, and family-friendly activities at Pinederosa Park.
Current event listings have the celebration running from 2–10 p.m., with arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, a kids-area DJ, and live music throughout the day. Bring a lawn chair and make as much or as little of the afternoon as you want.
Saturday, Oct. 3 • 2–10 p.m. • Pinederosa Park • Westlake
Our 2026 pumpkin patch guide compares the best nearby options, opening dates, activities, and what each stop is best for.
LCHappens illustration
Seasonal Pick
Pumpkin Patch Season Is Here
If you’ve been waiting for an excuse to pretend Southwest Louisiana has sweater weather, this is your sign.
CM Farms is already open for the season, Poche’s Patch & Maze opens October 1, and Holy Trinity’s pumpkin patch in Sulphur starts October 4.
We already compared the best options, prices, activities, and who each patch is best for, so you don’t have to open six tabs before making a plan.
Open now: CM Farms • Oct. 1: Poche’s Patch & Maze • Oct. 4: Holy Trinity in Sulphur
Featured
Lake Charles Pet Expo Takes Over Burton Coliseum
Saturday, October 3 • Lake Charles
Pets get their own Saturday morning plan this weekend. The Lake Charles Pet Expo returns to Burton Coliseum with free admission and a mix of activities for both four-legged visitors and the people attached to their leashes.
Expect pet adoption opportunities, a petting zoo, working-dog demonstrations, a photo booth, grooming and coat-care services, shopping, and more. The Pet Fashion Show and Pet/Owner Look-a-Like Contest are also back for 2026, with advance registration available for anyone who wants to compete.
Bringing your own pet? Burton requires pets to be on a leash to enter.
See Pet Expo details & contest registration →
Saturday, Oct. 3 • 9 a.m.–1 p.m. • Burton Coliseum • FREE
Quick Hits
A Few More Worth Knowing
Three more things happening around Lake Charles this week if you’re looking to fill a gap in the calendar.
Oct. 2–3
The Lost Hollows
Spooky season is officially underway. The Lost Hollows is open Friday and Saturday, with lines starting at 6 p.m., the first shuttle at sunset, and the last shuttle at 11 p.m. Deadly Pines admission is currently $30.
Closed-toe shoes are required for the trail.
Oct. 1
McNeese Rare Book “Petting Zoo”
This might be the most unusual stop of the week. Frazar Memorial Library is opening its Special Collections Reading Room from 3–7 p.m. Thursday so visitors can browse first editions, hand-painted fore-edge art, special folios, and books dating back to the 1500s.
Free and open to the public.
Oct. 3
Howl-O-Ween Doggie Costume Contest
Bark Du Lac gets into Halloween from 10 a.m.–noon Saturday with Look-A-Like, Best Dressed, and Most Tricks competitions, plus a kids play zone, food, and music.
Dogs must be vaccinated, leashed, and non-aggressive.
Plan Ahead
Two October Saturdays to Save
These aren’t for this weekend, but they’re close enough that it’s worth getting them on the calendar now.
October 10
Rouge et Blanc
Banners at McNeese brings its annual food-and-wine tasting back to campus from 3–7 p.m. The 21+ event pairs wine with food from local restaurants and serves as one of Banners’ major annual fundraisers.
Worth knowing: Tickets are sold in different levels, so this is one to look at before waiting until the last minute.
October 17
Chuck Fest
Downtown Lake Charles gets a full day of live music, Louisiana food, local art, and community events when Chuck Fest returns on Saturday, October 17.
Best part: The festival is free, so this is an easy one to put on the calendar now and figure out the rest later.
Keep Exploring
Need More Weekend Ideas?
If pumpkin season is calling your name, start with our Pumpkin Patches Near Lake Charles guide for dates, prices, activities, and which stop fits your family best.
And if you’re looking beyond this weekend, our Best Things To Do in Lake Charles guide has more local favorites, family activities, outdoor ideas, and places worth rediscovering.
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