How to Celebrate 318 Day in Ruston, La

318 Day is the perfect opportunity to explore and celebrate our area. We want to highlight some of our favorite things to experience, explore, and enjoy in our favorite part of the 318: Lincoln Parish.

Here in Louisiana, we are happy for any excuse to celebrate our area's culture and vibrancy. In recent years, March 18 has lovingly been claimed as "318 Day": a day to explore and celebrate all the things that make the 318 area (code) special. In celebration, we are highlighting some of our favorite ways to experience our storied history, explore green getaways, and enjoy unique culture and flavors.

Experience Storied History

1. North LA Military museum: The North Louisiana Military Museum is a dream for history buffs, and we highly recommend visiting during your celebration of 318 Day. Ruston is home to the only military museum in North Louisiana, which features an extensive collection of war relics and memorabilia. The museum’s local ties make it especially interesting, as a large number of items on display were donated by veterans and families of the 318.

2. Eddie G Robinson Museum: This is the place where history lovers and sports lovers can feel right at home. Visit this gem of a museum that highlights the life of an African-American football coaching icon. Take a trip through Robinson's powerful life and be touched by his remarkable American spirit. With interactive visual, audio, and hands-on exhibits, this museum offers an engaging and enjoyable experience for visitors of all ages.

3. Lincoln Parish Museum: To really immerse yourself in Lincoln Parish’s heritage this 318 day, take a visit to Lincoln Parish Museum. Built in 1886, the Kidd-Davis home is filled with historic furniture, clothing, photos & drawings, and artifacts unique to the late 1800s era. The museum's "Walls That Talk" installation features seven murals showcasing vignettes from Lincoln Parish history. Call (318) 251-0018 to schedule a tour.

Explore Green Getaways

Gather your friends and make them a part of the 318 day celebrations by going for a walk, run, or bike ride along our many local parks and trails.

1. The Rock Island Greenway stretches a total of 6 miles across the city and features educational displays and public art. The RIG is a perfect excuse to get outside, explore, and appreciate Ruston on 318 day. Fun fact: the greenway follows the path of the old Rock Island Railroad tracks, which date back to the mid 1800’s!

2. Lincoln Parish Park is rated as one of the best mountain bike trails in America and features the world’s first Waterfall MTB Hub with trails for riders of every skill level. Bike riding not up your alley? They also offer areas to fish, take a stroll, camp, and an accessible playground for the kids.

3. Huckleberry Trails Park offers 23 wooded acres with special areas created for those who love nature. Their unique features are a one-of-a-kind learning center, scenic trails, and eye-catching sculptures tucked within the nature trails.

Enjoy Unique Culture and Flavors

1. There is so much talent showcased all over the 318, and here in Lincoln Parish, we feel lucky to have some of the best. From the many murals scattered throughout downtown to the 22 “Bulldog Project" bulldog statues placed all over the city, the talent of our local artists is something to celebrate. Their art embodies the unique culture of North Louisiana, making a tour of it the perfect activity for 318 Day. Snap a photo, share it, and tag us @rustoncvb so we can see how you celebrate the 318.

A crowd of people gathered around the mural located on the north side of the Dixie Center for the Arts building.

Dixie Center for the Arts Mural

2. We also highly recommend supporting small businesses on 318 day, and the best place to do that is in Downtown Ruston. All of the stores in downtown are locally owned and operated, so you won’t find any big-box stores or national chains. The downtown businesses have an atmosphere of collaboration over competition, where businesses find ways to partner to give residents and visitors the best experience possible. If you’re looking for products or art that were made in the 318, be sure to check out The Collective, The Ruston Farmers Market, Garden Gift & Home, Parish Made, and Creative Exchange.

3. What better way to celebrate the 318 than by enjoying a meal freshly and carefully crafted by local culinary artists. Eat local this 318 day and enjoy a breakfast from Common Goods Co, Lula Perl, or Grown and Grazed. Grab a bite for lunch from Uptown Downtown, Utility, or North Village Food Park. Take a seat down for dinner and grab a table at Beau Vines Steakhouse, Ponchatoulas, or White Lightnin’. Finally, end your day of celebrations with an evening drink from Trio’s Dining or Sundown Tavern.

We hope you take this day to celebrate everything that makes the 318 special! Be sure to visit our 318 neighbors in your Louisiana adventures, including Shreveport-Bossier, Webster Parish, Union Parish, Monroe & West Monroe, Natchitoches, Alexandria & Pineville.