(Source: Downtown West Monroe Facebook Page)
Thank You for Joining Us This Year at Ouachita Riverfest
On Saturday, April 25, thousands of families gathered in downtown West Monroe for the 2026 Ouachita Riverfest, and we were so honored to once again sponsor the Kids Zone for the fourth year in a row. From bounce houses and bubble foam parties to duck-themed activities, sensory play, and rock climbing, this year’s event was bigger, busier, and more exciting than ever before.
Festival organizers estimated that at least 5,000 people attended this year’s Riverfest, which brought an amazing amount of energy, excitement, and community spirit to West Monroe.
(Source: KNOE News 8)
After concerns about rain the day before, the weather turned out beautiful, and families began filling the Kids Zone before activities had even officially started. Throughout the day, children raced through foam bubbles, climbed rock walls, searched for hidden ducks, visited the petting zoo, and enjoyed hours of free activities with their families.
Watching so many local children laugh, play, and enjoy themselves together made this year’s festival incredibly special for our team!
Four Years of Sponsoring the Kids Zone for West Monroe Families
(Source: Ouachita Riverfest Facebook Page)
We first became involved with Ouachita Riverfest in 2023 during the festival’s very first year. At the time, our West Monroe clinic had not even been built yet, but when community leaders approached us about sponsoring a Kids Zone for local families, we immediately knew we wanted to be part of it.
Over the past four years, it has been amazing to watch both the festival and the surrounding community continue to grow. One of the things we are most proud of is helping keep the Kids Zone free for families to enjoy.
(Source: Downtown West Monroe Facebook Page)
Our sponsorship helps provide many of the activities children look forward to each year, including bounce houses, sensory activities, bubble foam fun, rock climbing, and other family-friendly experiences throughout the Kids Zone.
As business owners and lifelong members of this community, supporting local families has always been important to us. For us, this event has never been just about sponsorship. It has always been about creating a safe, fun, welcoming space where families can spend time together and children can simply enjoy being kids.
We Loved Seeing Children and Families Enjoy Riverfest Together
(Source: Downtown West Monroe Facebook Page)
One of our favorite parts of Riverfest every year is seeing children fully immerse themselves in the activities.
This year, many families returned specifically for our sensory play bins, which quickly became one of the busiest attractions in the Kids Zone. Some children even kicked off their shoes and climbed directly into the bins to play!
(Source: Downtown West Monroe Facebook Page)
Children searched through dried deer corn to find hidden ducks and win prizes, scooped sensory play materials into buckets, and spent long stretches of time exploring textures and activities together.
(Source: Ouachita Riverfest Facebook Page)
We gave away hundreds of small rubber ducks throughout the day, watched children race around in inflatable duck floaties, and saw countless smiles from families enjoying the festival together. Parents often gathered nearby while their children played, giving them an opportunity to relax, connect with other families, and enjoy the atmosphere while their kids stayed entertained.
(Source: Ouachita Riverfest Facebook Page)
One of the things we care deeply about is being available for families when they have questions. Throughout the event, members of our executive team and staff remained at our booth helping children participate in activities while also answering questions from parents about child development, therapy services, and concerns they may have about their children.
Events like Riverfest give us the opportunity to connect with our community outside the clinic setting and have real conversations with parents in a relaxed, welcoming environment.
(Source: Building Futures Pediatric Therapy Facebook Page)
It was also incredibly special to see many current and former Building Futures families stop by throughout the day to say hello, reconnect with our staff, and enjoy the event together.
Why Giving Back to the West Monroe Community Matters to Us
As business owners, therapists, and community members, events like Riverfest mean a great deal to us personally. Both of our owners, Jennifer Kelly Reeves and Wendy Petrus, grew up in West Monroe and have remained actively involved in the local community for many years. Supporting Riverfest is one of the many ways we are able to give back to the families and neighborhoods that helped shape us.
Our mission has always been to provide the highest quality support possible for children and families in our area. Being part of events like this allows us to extend that mission beyond the walls of our clinics and into the community itself.
Jennifer shared that supporting Riverfest reflects the heart behind Building Futures’ mission and the practice’s connection to the local community: “…We feel so supported by our community. After growing up here, we’re grateful that we can give back to the community that helped raise us. It just reinforces what’s in mine and Wendy’s hearts, which is to better the lives of the families around us.”
(Source: Downtown West Monroe Facebook Page)
This year, 15 members of our team volunteered their personal time throughout the day to help set up, run activities, interact with families, and clean up after the event ended.
We also created custom bright green Riverfest shirts featuring cartoon ducks and the phrase “Most Definitely Not All in a Row,” which quickly became a favorite around the festival grounds. Even West Monroe Mayor Staci Mitchell requested one before wearing it during media appearances promoting the festival.
Thank You for Celebrating Riverfest with Us
(Source: Ouachita Riverfest Facebook Page)
This year’s Riverfest brought incredible support from local families, businesses, volunteers, and community leaders. We were honored to receive shout-outs throughout the event and participate in interviews with local news stations leading up to the festival.
(Source: KTVE Fox 14 Your Morning News)
One especially fun moment for our team was seeing West Monroe Mayor Staci Mitchell wearing one of our Riverfest shirts during media appearances promoting the event. Moments like that remind us how grateful we are to be part of such a supportive, connected community.
(Source: NBC 10 News Today)
We would also like to thank the City of West Monroe, Ouachita Riverfest organizers, volunteers, sponsors, and every family who stopped by the Kids Zone this year. Your support, excitement, and participation are what make this event so special year after year.
For us, the best part of Riverfest was seeing local families come together to enjoy a day full of fun, connection, and community. Thank you again for joining us at Ouachita Riverfest 2026. We are already looking forward to next year!
