Historic downtown Ferriday at dusk with glowing marquee
Ferriday, Louisiana · Cultural District

Revitalizing Downtown Ferriday Through Music, Culture, and Opportunity

Discover Ferriday's vision for a vibrant downtown built around business growth, live entertainment, historic character, and community energy.

Our Mission

A downtown built for the next generation.

The Ferriday Downtown Entertainment District is committed to revitalizing downtown Ferriday into a vibrant destination for culture, business, music, food, tourism, and community pride.

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Experience Downtown Ferriday.

Why Ferriday

A small city with an outsized cultural footprint.

01

Music Heritage

Hometown of Jerry Lee Lewis, Mickey Gilley, and Jimmy Swaggart — a legacy that shapes our identity and draws visitors from around the world.

02

Strategic Downtown

Walkable historic core along Louisiana Avenue with active storefronts, civic anchors, and redevelopment momentum.

03

Redevelopment in Motion

Restored facades, new tenants, and public investment are reshaping downtown block by block.

04

Business Opportunity

Affordable lease rates, available historic buildings, and a district that actively supports new ventures.

05

Community Energy

Festivals, vendor markets, and live music programming activate downtown year-round.

06

Tourism Pipeline

Music-heritage tourists, Mississippi River travelers, and regional visitors arrive year-round.

Building Renovation Grant

Matching funds for facade restoration, structural improvements, and historic preservation work on downtown properties.

Eligibility & Apply

LED Business Sign Grant

Reimbursement for new exterior signage that enhances downtown's visual identity and improves wayfinding.

Eligibility & Apply
Downtown evening event with string lights
Downtown Activation

Upcoming on the Avenue.

All Events
12
JUN

Delta Music Festival

Downtown Main Stage · 6 PM

21
JUN

Vendor Market & Live Music

Louisiana Ave · 10 AM – 4 PM

04
JUL

Fourth on the Avenue

Downtown Block Party · 5 PM

17
JUL

Board Meeting (Open)

District Office · 6 PM

Piano keys representing Ferriday's music heritage
Heritage

The Cradle of American Music Legends.

Few small towns in America can claim the cultural weight of Ferriday. From the rolling piano of Jerry Lee Lewis and the country-soul of Mickey Gilley to the worldwide reach of Jimmy Swaggart and the entrepreneurial vision of William Haney, Ferriday's story is one of rhythm, faith, and ambition.

That story is not behind us — it's woven into every brick on Louisiana Avenue. The district is committed to honoring this heritage while building a downtown ready for what's next.

Plan Your Visit
News & Updates

Latest from the District.

209 Louisiana Avenue — original Quality Furniture façade before revitalization
Before
209 Louisiana Avenue — updated façade progress photo
Progress
Progress Update

209 Louisiana Avenue revitalization advances — final phase of Quality Furniture anticipated

The revitalization of 209 Louisiana Avenue is advancing incrementally. We anticipate the final phase of Quality Furniture, with the original façade giving way to a refreshed storefront on the 200 block.

March 27, 2026

Public notice — Quarterly Board of Commissioners meeting, April 16, 2026 at 3:00 PM, Ferriday Arcade Theater
Public Notice

Quarterly Board of Commissioners meeting — April 16, 2026, 3:00 PM at the Ferriday Arcade Theater

March 13, 2026

Blue ribbon cutting ceremony at 204 Louisiana Avenue with owners Carlos Brown and Curtis Brown Jr., Ferriday Downtown Commissioners, and the MayorGroup photo of attendees at the 204 Louisiana Avenue ribbon cutting ceremony204 Louisiana Avenue — renovated façade
Announcement

Blue Ribbon Ceremony celebrates the renovation of 204 Louisiana Avenue

Today, we honor owners Carlos Brown and Curtis Brown Jr. with a Blue Ribbon Ceremony, commemorating the renovation of their new building at 204 Louisiana Avenue. We appreciate the contributions of the Ferriday Downtown Commissioners and the Mayor. Additionally, we thank Aldermen Gail Pryor, DraCarl Walker, and Gloria Lloyd for backing the Commissioners' initiatives. Thank you as well to Sen. Jackson-Andrews.

October 21, 2025

National Register Historic District

23 Historic Buildings. Ready for Reinvention.

Listed on the National Register since 1995, the Ferriday Commercial Historic District offers a rare concentration of redevelopment-ready properties — with up to 45% in combined federal and state historic tax credits.

Get in Touch

Let's build downtown together.

Whether you're a vendor, investor, business owner, or resident — we want to hear from you.

Contact the District