Editing Monroe, Louisiana (section)

==Arts and culture==
[[File:Monroe Civic Center, Louisiana.jpg|right|thumb|186px|Monroe Convention Hall across [[Monroe Civic Center]] designed by [[Hugh G. Parker, Jr.]]]]The [[Monroe Civic Center]] has multiple facilities, the main complex being the Civic Center arena.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Monroe-WestMonroe - Monroe Civic Center|url=https://www.monroe-westmonroe.org/facilities-details.cfm?id=2|access-date=August 20, 2021|website=www.monroe-westmonroe.org}}</ref> The arena provides {{convert|44000|sqft|m2|-2}} of exhibit space along with 5,600 seats, with a larger potential capacity of up to 7,200 seats. The arena houses events such as [[banquet]]s, [[circus]]es, and [[rodeo]]s.[[File:Chennault Aviation and Military Museum in Monroe, LA IMG 4155.JPG|186px|thumb|The [[Chennault Aviation and Military Museum]] in Monroe|left]]The center also holds the B. D. Robinson Conference Hall,<ref>{{Cite web|title=B.D. Robinson Conference Hall|url=https://monroela.us/government/departments-divisions/community-affairs/venues-divisions/conference-hall|access-date=August 20, 2021|website=City of Monroe, Louisiana|language=en}}</ref> Monroe Convention Center,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Convention Center {{!}} Monroe Civic Center|url=http://yourciviccenter.org/project/conventioncenter/|access-date=August 20, 2021|language=en-US}}</ref> equestrian pavilion, and the 2,200-seat W. L. Jack Howard Theatre<ref>{{Cite web|title=W.L. "Jack" Howard Theatre {{!}} Monroe Civic Center|url=http://yourciviccenter.org/project/howard-theatre/|access-date=August 20, 2021|language=en-US}}</ref> named for [[W. L. "Jack" Howard]], the [[Union Parish, Louisiana|Union Parish]] native who served as mayor of Monroe from 1956 to 1972 and again from 1976 to 1978. The [[Harvey H. Benoit Recreation Center]] is used for [[basketball]] games and has outdoor [[tennis]] courts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://monroela.us/community/parks-and-rec/harvey-h-benoit-community-center|title=Harvey H. Benoit Recreation Center|website=Monroela.us|access-date=May 5, 2019}}</ref>

During the last week of June, Monroe hosts the annual [[Miss Louisiana]] pageant.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20130625/NEWS01/130625001/Contestants-excited-about-50th-Miss-Louisiana-competition-Monroe|title=Sarah Eddington, "Contestants excited about 50th Miss Louisiana competition in Monroe"|newspaper=Alexandria Daily Town Talk|access-date=June 25, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130628024644/http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20130625/NEWS01/130625001/Contestants-excited-about-50th-Miss-Louisiana-competition-Monroe|archive-date=June 28, 2013}}</ref>

Monroe is the home of the [[Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo]], which collectively maintains over 500 animals. It also offers boat rides and a catwalk, in addition to other seasonal activities.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo|url=https://monroela.us/government/departments-divisions/community-affairs/louisiana-purchase-gardens-and-zoo|access-date=August 20, 2021|website=City of Monroe, Louisiana|language=en}}</ref>

The Monroe area is home to several museums, including the [[Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=General Info|url=https://www.nelcm.org/general-info/|access-date=August 20, 2021|website=Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=July 2, 2021|title=Northeast Louisiana Children's museum to relocate to Forsythe Park|url=https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/northeast-louisiana-childrens-museum-to-relocate-to-forsythe-park/|access-date=August 20, 2021|website=KTVE - myarklamiss.com|language=en-US}}</ref> the [[Biedenharn Museum and Gardens]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Monroe-WestMonroe - Biedenharn Museum & Gardens|url=https://www.monroe-westmonroe.org/places-to-discover-details.cfm?id=34|access-date=August 20, 2021|website=www.monroe-westmonroe.org}}</ref> the [[Chennault Aviation and Military Museum]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Home|url=https://chennaultmuseum.org/|access-date=August 20, 2021|website=Chennault Aviation Museum|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=September 15, 2020|title=Chennault Military Museum|url=https://heartoflouisiana.com/chennaults-flying-tigers/|access-date=August 20, 2021|website=The Heart of Louisiana|language=en-US}}</ref> the [[Masur Museum of Arts]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Yoshonis|first=Scott|title=Masur Museum is back in business after COVID shutdown, tornado|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/life/2021/06/05/masur-museum-monroe-back-business-after-covid-shutdown-tornado/7449049002/|access-date=August 20, 2021|website=The News-Star|language=en-US}}</ref> and the [[Northeast Louisiana Delta African-American Heritage Museum]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Heritage Museum|url=https://countryroadsmagazine.com/locations/northeast-louisiana-delta-african-american-heritage-museum/|access-date=August 20, 2021|website=Country Roads Magazine|language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=African American Heritage Museum: Celebrating a culture|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/life/2016/07/23/african-american-heritage-museum-celebrating-culture/86365242/|access-date=August 20, 2021|website=The News-Star|language=en-US}}</ref> This is one of the 26 sites identified in the early 21st century as part of the state's [[Louisiana African American Heritage Trail|African American Heritage Trail]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Walk along the African American Heritage Trail|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna23565789|access-date=August 20, 2021|publisher=[[NBC News]]|date=March 14, 2008 |language=en}}</ref>