A Note from Beaux

Hey, Lake Charles —

This week feels like one of those good Lake Charles weekends where you could stay busy without trying very hard.

McNeese is carrying most of the energy into Friday and Saturday, but there’s also live music, family stuff, a quick Creole Nature Trail escape, and a few good reasons to get out during the week instead of waiting for Friday night.

And if you make it all the way to the bottom, I found a Fat Pat’s deal where $25 gets you $50, which is probably the easiest argument in this entire email.

See you around town,

Beaux LeBeak

This week: McNeese weekend, local events, a fall outdoor pick, and a food deal worth scrolling for.

The Big Thing

McNeese Weekend Takes Over Lake Charles

Even if you’re not the person checking the depth chart on Tuesday, this is one of those weekends where McNeese spills into the whole city. Friday night starts with live music at the Cowboy Block Party, then Saturday rolls straight into tailgating and a home game at Navarre Stadium.

FREE

Friday Night

7 PM

Live Music

6 PM

Sat. Kickoff

Friday Night

Cowboy Block Party

Friday, Sept. 25

Alumni Grove near the Robert Noland Alumni Pavilion

Gates open at 6 PM • Dustin Sonnier at 7 PM • Free

Bring a lawn chair or ice chest and settle in. Food trucks will also be on site.

Saturday Night

McNeese vs. East Texas A&M

Saturday, Sept. 26

Navarre Stadium

Kickoff at 6 PM

It’s also the 1976/2006 Championship Team Reunion game, so expect a little extra nostalgia around the stadium.

Beaux’s take: This is less “two events” and more one long excuse to stay around campus all weekend.

Make a Weekend of It

The easy game plan

Friday: Cowboy Block Party

Saturday afternoon: Tailgate

Saturday night: Cowboys kickoff

Weekend Shortlist

5 Things To Do This Weekend

Best For • Game Day Energy

Cowboy Block Party

Friday night at McNeese with Dustin Sonnier, food trucks, and a free start to the weekend.

Best For • Families

Worldwide Day of Play at Port Wonder

Free family activities Saturday morning with indoor and outdoor play at Port Wonder.

Best For • Sports Fans

Louisiana State Championship Powerlifting Meet

A different kind of Saturday outing if you want something more competitive than the usual festival or family event.

Best For • Creative Kids

Art in the Park: Falling for Art

Free Saturday morning art activities at Drew Park from 10 AM–12 PM.

Best For • Sunday Reset

Sunday Jazz Brunch at Luna

Wrap up the weekend with brunch, cocktails, and live jazz downtown.

This Week in SWLA

A Few Good Reasons to Get Out of the House

Whiskey

Tuesday • Sept. 22

Curated Whiskey Flights at Calla

A solid midweek option if you want something a little more interesting than the usual Tuesday routine.

Wine

Wednesday • Sept. 23

Wine Tasting at Vin Ami

Free tasting from 6–8 PM, with bottles available if you find one worth taking home.

Arts + Culture

Friday • Sept. 25

Groove on the Green

A Friday evening arts-and-community option at Central School Arts & Humanities Center from 6–8 PM.

Family

Saturday • Sept. 26

Worldwide Day of Play at Port Wonder

Free family activities from 9:30 AM–1:30 PM, with indoor and outdoor fun throughout the morning.

Art

Saturday • Sept. 26

Art in the Park: Falling for Art

A free morning art event at Drew Park from 10 AM–12 PM.

Outdoors & Adventure

Fall Is One of the Best Times to Explore the Creole Nature Trail

The Creole Nature Trail isn’t just something to recommend to out-of-town visitors. Fall is a great excuse to head south, slow down, and spend a few hours exploring the marshes, wildlife drives, and open stretches of Southwest Louisiana.

The trail is especially known for birding, with more than 400 species recorded across the region and migration bringing plenty of activity through fall, winter, and spring.

400+

Bird Species Recorded Along the Trail

Beaux’s take: Even if you don’t own binoculars or know a warbler from a waffle iron, the drive is still worth it.

Quick Plan

An easy half-day escape

Start

Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point

Drive

Head south and take your time through the marsh.

Stop

Pintail Wildlife Drive

Bring

Water, snacks, sunscreen, and bug spray.

Eat + Drink

One Deal Worth Knowing + One Easy Local Pick

Deal of the Week

$25 → $50

Double Your Money at Fat Pat’s

Fat Pat’s Bar & Grill

Starting Friday, Sept. 25, SweetDeals is offering a $50 Fat Pat’s certificate for $25.

If Fat Pat’s is already in your regular rotation, this one is pretty hard to overthink.

Check the Deal

Beaux’s Pick

SHUCKS!

Good food, solid prices, a strong draft beer selection, and enough variety that it works just as well for a casual dinner as it does for grabbing drinks.

McNeese Weekend, Local Events & a Food Deal Worth Knowing

Hey, Lake Charles —

McNeese Weekend Takes Over Lake Charles

Cowboy Block Party

McNeese vs. East Texas A&M

The easy game plan

5 Things To Do This Weekend

Cowboy Block Party

Worldwide Day of Play at Port Wonder

Louisiana State Championship Powerlifting Meet

Art in the Park: Falling for Art

Sunday Jazz Brunch at Luna

A Few Good Reasons to Get Out of the House

Curated Whiskey Flights at Calla

Wine Tasting at Vin Ami

Groove on the Green

Worldwide Day of Play at Port Wonder

Art in the Park: Falling for Art

Fall Is One of the Best Times to Explore the Creole Nature Trail

An easy half-day escape

One Deal Worth Knowing + One Easy Local Pick

Fat Pat’s Bar & Grill

SHUCKS!

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