Alex River Fete kicks off in Alexandria, showcasing local restaurants

Melinda Martinez, Alexandria Town Talk
·4 min read

Food, music and a chance to socialize brought out a crowd to Third Street Thursday evening for Dinner on the Bricks, the official start of Alex River Fete.

"We're always excited with any event that takes place on Third Street," said Scott Laliberte, chief operating officer at Michael Jenkins Properties, which owns both the Diamond Grill and The Bentley Room restaurants that are located downtown.

The added bonus for them is Dinner on the Bricks is right on their doorstep, he said. And it's one of the few events that showcases area restaurants.

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Yvonne Francis and Eloise Coaty like to enjoy the event's atmosphere while sampling foods from local restaurants.

The dish they wanted to try was the Stuffed Pineapple with Hawaiian Grilled Salmon from The Creole Cockpit.

Chef Gerad Abair, Jr. of The Creole Cockpit grills up Stuffed Pineapple with Margarita Grilled Shrimp at Dinner on the Bricks. The pineapple was a bowl filled with rice, shrimp and a pineapple slice. This dish and the Pineapple with Hawaiian Grilled Salmon were popular with the crowd.
Chef Gerad Abair, Jr. of The Creole Cockpit grills up Stuffed Pineapple with Margarita Grilled Shrimp at Dinner on the Bricks. The pineapple was a bowl filled with rice, shrimp and a pineapple slice. This dish and the Pineapple with Hawaiian Grilled Salmon were popular with the crowd.

"It sounded good," said Coaty as she showed a photo of the dish on her phone. "That's what we're waiting on."

But food wasn't the only reason they came.

"You get to see people you haven't seen in a long time," said Francis.

Brad Blackwood, owner of Cafe Desoto, said he loves the atmosphere surrounding events such as these.

Delsey and John Thomas watch Brad Blackwood, owner of Cafe Desoto, make a Roasted Chicken Taco with Homemade Salsa and Chipolte Cream at Dinner on the Bricks held Thursday on Third Street.
Delsey and John Thomas watch Brad Blackwood, owner of Cafe Desoto, make a Roasted Chicken Taco with Homemade Salsa and Chipolte Cream at Dinner on the Bricks held Thursday on Third Street.

"This is a big part of why I relocated down here," said Blackwood, who was serving roasted chicken tacos with homemade salsa and chipotle cream.

For him, family-friendly events like this are about quality of life and feels that more like it would be better.

Vendors for the event were: The Bentley Room, The Creole Cockpit, Diamond Grill, Cafe Desoto, Delish, Love & D’serts, Pamela’s Bayou in a Bowl, Uncle Willie’s 3 Fat Brothers, Royal Onion, Chrissy’s Cajun Kitchen and Bitty Bundts.

Alex RiverFete continues Friday at 5 p.m. with a musical lineup on the Main Stage that includes DJ Melissa Frost from 5-11 p.m.; Meghan Linsey at 6 p.m.; Mary Griffin at 7 p.m. and Texas Hill at 9 p.m.

DJs Bow Bow Bow and Speedy Tee will be on the Desoto Stage from 6-11 p.m.; P2K at 7 p.m. and Koray Broussard at 9 p.m.

Arts and crafts and food vendors will line the downtown area on Third and Desoto Streets starting at 5 pm. Friday. The Alexandria Museum of Art’s Illuminated Procession starting at 8:15 p.m.

On Saturday, the Classic Car Fete will be from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on 4th Street.

Musical lineup for the Main Stage are: DJ Wade Hampton & DJ Tony Groove, 11 a.m.-noon.; Christian Love, noon-12:30 p.m.; BASIC, 1-1:30 p.m.; Peaceful Rest Praise Team, 2-2:30 p.m.; 2nd Samuel 3-3:30 p.m.; Swamp Donky, 4-4 p.m.; Barrett Baber, 6-7:30 p.m.; Jeremy Fruge, 8:30-9:30 p.m.; Chris Ardoin, 10-11:30 p.m.

On the Desoto Stage will be: DJ Sean St. John, noon-6 p.m.; DJ Bow Wow Bow & DJ Speedy Tee, 6-11 p.m.; Minister Pat, 1-1:30 p.m.; Shana D, 3-4 p.m.; Andy & Lee Huffer, 5-6 p.m.; Alter Ego, 7-8 p.m.; and Anxiety, 9-10 p.m.

The newest addition to RiverFete includes the Youth EnpowerFete at the Rapides Parish Coliseum will include a "Power Hour" from 1-1:45 p.m. where youth can play games and win prizes. DJ Flex, Jay Stevens and DJ Bow Bow Bow will provide music.

Discussion on topics such violence and crime, mental health awareness, sex, drugs, peer pressure religion and life coaching skills will be held from 2-6 p.m. in which youth are encouraged to participate.

Panel members will be Dennis Stewart, principal at Peabody Magnet High School, moderator; Dr. Keith Fox, CBT, owner of Cognitive Consults, LLC; Difference Maker (Dwayne Dupar) motivational speaker; BFamous (Darrell Phillips), motivational speaker & youth pastor; Keandra Ford, principal at Arthur F. Smith Middle School; Pastor Matt Sherian, Christian Worship youth pastor and Terrence Stewart, DJ Louisiana Hood.

Local and national rappers on hand will include Fredo Bang, Jawillspecial, Soul Baby Groove and Deezy2Exclusive.

For more information visit alexriverfete.com or Alex RiverFete on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Dinner on the Bricks kicks off Alex River Fete Thursday evening