Happenings

There have been a group of little elves in our community working hard to make this the best ever Christmas in the Country this weekend.  Countless hours of volunteer time have been given to create that seasonal magic that makes this event so special.  So if you haven’t gotten a full schedule yet, stop at any of our local businesses and grab a copy while you do a bit of Christmas shopping.

 

Now, let’s check out what’s happening:

 

A Colonial Christmas

Oakley Plantation House will be trimmed in the style of the 1800’s, for Audubon State Historic Site’s A Colonial Christmas Experience on December 5 and 6.   School groups are invited to visit on Friday, December 5 from 9 am until 1 pm, to enjoy the holiday decorations and watch as a period meal is prepared by costumed staff in the outdoor kitchen of Oakley House.  In addition, various hands-on craft demonstrations will be located throughout the park.   From 10 am until 4 pm on Saturday, December 6, visitors can see a plantation Christmas dinner setting and rooms decorated for the holiday season.  The plantation kitchen will feature the day’s meal being prepared over an open hearth, and costumed staff will explain how the holiday celebration differed from what is traditional in modern times.  For more information, call 888-677-2838 toll free or 635-3739 locally.

 

Christmas in the Country Begins!

Events begin on Friday, December 5 at 5:30 pm with the First Baptist Church Children’s Choir singing our favorite carols on the front porch of Town Hall.  At 6 pm Mayor Billy D’Aquilla lights the Town’s Christmas Tree and invites us all to a reception in Town Hall.  There will also be a special visitor there waiting to hear your Christmas wish.  Here’s a hint:  he likes to wear a red suit trimmed in white fur!

 

Christmas at Rosedown

Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site will be all decked out in her Christmas finery throughout the month of December.  The Main House and Nina’s Wing will be dressed in historic, early to mid-19^th century style Christmas décor, consisting of natural greenery garlands, fruit and nut displays, cypress and cedar wreaths, and potted poinsettia blooms.  For more information, call 888-376-1867 toll free or 635-3110 locally.

 

White Light Night

The St. Francisville Main Street Merchants have teamed up again to offer this special White Light Night on Friday, December 5 from 6:30 pm until 9 pm.  The Highlands Bank trolleys will run the route between stores so hop on, listen to the music along the way, and vote on your favorite residential or business Christmas decorations.  Parking for the trolley rides will be at the trolley stops:  the Police Jury building on the corner of Hwy. 10 and Commerce Street; Town Hall; the Post Office; and at the Courthouse.  For a complete list of store specials, pick up that schedule!

 

Baton Rouge Symphony Christmas Concert

The St. Francisville Symphony Association presents its Spectacular Annual Christmas Concert featuring the musicians of the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, with Timothy Muffet, Conductor.  This wonderful event will be held at Grace Episcopal Church on Friday, December 5 at 7 pm.  Following the performance of Christmas favorites by the Brass and Percussion group, there will be a dessert reception in Jackson Hall, featuring the Famous Coffee Punch.  Tickets are available at the Bank of St. Francisville, 635-6397, or at the door, but this concert usually sells out, so be sure to get your tickets now!

 

Fresh Wreath Sales

The Women’s Service League will again be selling their fresh wreaths beginning on Friday, December 5 at 1 pm, and throughout the Christmas in the Country weekend.  They will also have their popular Plantation Country Cookbook on sale and already wrapped to place under your tree.

 

A Musical Christmas

During White Light Night on Friday, The West Feliciana Middle School choir will sing on the front porch of the Historical Society Museum; Jay Hanemann will be at Better Bodies for Ladies playing Christmas and Christian music; and on the front porch of the Robb House on Royal Street, Better Than Nothing will perform!

 

Throughout Saturday there will be local choirs performing at different sites throughout St. Francisville.  At the Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, at 9:30 am – Bains Elementary Chorus; at 10:30 am – WFHS Spanish and Latin Club; and at 11:00 am – WFHS Choir.  On the front porch of the West Feliciana Historical Society Museum, at 9:30 am – Bains Lower Elementary Choir; and at 10:00 am – West Feliciana Middle School Choir.  The Lagniappe Quartet will stroll along Ferdinand and Royal Streets from 10 am until 2 pm, and the Angola Inmate Traveling Band will perform across from the Garden Symposium Park on Ferdinand Street from noon until 4 pm.  The Main Street Band will be In Parker Memorial Park from noon until 2 pm.

 

Jump In!

That’s the theme of this year’s Christmas in the Country annual parade where Miguel Pate, our very own Olympic athlete will be the Grand Marshal.  The parade is scheduled to begin at 2 pm on Saturday, December 6, and travel down Ferdinand and Commerce Streets.

 

Candlelight Tours

As an added feature of A Colonial Christmas, candlelight tours of Oakley House will be given from 6 pm until 8 pm on Saturday, December 6.  During the tour there will be live colonial music and traditional holiday snacks such as roasted chestnuts, fig puddings and wassail will be served.  At 6 pm, the Vintage Dancers will perform dances of the early 1800’s.  The $2 adult admission to Audubon SHS includes the site video history presentation, the plantation house tour and all special programs.  Children, 12 and under, and senior citizens, 62 and older, are admitted free.

 

More Christmas!

Also on Saturday, December 6, there will be a Community Sing-Along at 6 pm at the Methodist Church on Royal Street.  The First Baptist Church on the corner of Highway 10 and Highway 61 will feature a live nativity from 6 pm until 8 pm.  Also from 6 pm until 8 pm, Peep Into Our Holiday Homes are designated by signs at the participating houses along Ferdinand and Royal Streets.

 

St. Francisville Transitory Theatre

Christmas would not be complete without the special performances by this local and very talented group of individuals.  This year they will give up two Christmas stories:  A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, and The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry.  Performances are scheduled for 4:00 pm and 7:30 pm on Saturday, December 6, and 7:30 pm on Sunday, December 7, at Old Market Hall on Royal Street.  Each performance will run approximately 90 minutes which includes a 15 minute intermission between plays.  Admission to all performances is $5 per person, and tickets will be on sale 30 minutes prior to each performance.  Seating is limited to 50 people so come early to get your seats.  For more on the St. Francisville Transitory Theatre, visit www.sftheatre.net.

 

Library Tour of Homes

The Friends of the West Feliciana Parish Library will feature some beautiful contemporary homes in our area on their annual Library Tour of Homes.  This event will take place on Sunday, December 7, from noon until 5 pm.  Tickets are $15 and are available at the Library before and on the day of the tour.

 

Christmas in the Country Schedule

Here’s the information again on how to get a complete schedule: visit www.stfrancisvillefestivals.com or visit the Information Center in the Museum on Ferdinand Street for a copy or any of the businesses in town.