Happenings

Christmas in the Country Schedule of Events

There are so many special performances by choirs, bands, and other groups this weekend that this message would be too long if I included all of it.  I’ve given you just some of the highlights below but be sure to visit the website – www.stfrancisvillefestivals.com – for a complete listing.  You can print out the schedule from there, or visit our Information Center in the West Feliciana Historical Society Museum on Ferdinand Street for a print out of the schedule.

 

Fresh Christmas Greenery

The Women’s Service League will begin their annual Fresh Wreath Sale this weekend.  Their trailer/booth is set up on Ferdinand Street right next to the library.  They will also offer pre-wrapped Plantation Country Cookbooks on sale.

Ins N Outs on Legion Street now has fresh cut Frazier Fir Christmas trees, garlands and wreaths on sale.   Poinsettias in all colors have also arrived.

 

Christmas Symphony Concert

Only the location has changed – this year the St. Francisville Symphony Association Christmas Concert will be held at Hemingbough on December 4 at 7:00pm with Dessert Reception to follow.  The brilliance of the Baton Rouge Symphony Brass and Percussion with Timothy Muffitt, Music Director, and David Toms, Conductor, is sure to bring out your holiday spirit with popular selections we all know and love!  Come and relive the joyous memories of holidays past and create a cherished new tradition.  Tickets are available at the Bank of St. Francisville or at BRSO, 225-383-0500.

 

A St. Francisville Christmas Carol

The St. Francisville Transitory Theatre announces its 2009 Christmas Special Production – A St. Francisville Christmas Carol.  Director Adam Tidwell will take the classic Dickens tale and set it in a place we all know and love.  Back from a year off, James Lanius and his creative crew are ready retell the story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s sleepless night in typical Transitory style.  They’ve decided that 19^th century London just isn’t interesting enough!  It will be present day St. Francisville, and Ebenezer is now Ellen Ezra Scrooge. Performances are held in conjunction with the annual Christmas in the Country celebration and will be Saturday, December 5 at 4 pm and again at 7:30 pm, and again on Sunday, December 6 at 4 pm and at 7:30 pm.  Admission is $10 for adults, and $8 for students and seniors.  The play will be performed at Jackson Hall so there will be plenty of seating.  For more information, visit www.sftheatre.wordpress.com.

 

A Colonial Christmas

Experience A Colonial Christmas at Audubon State Historic Site on Saturday, December 5.  Area students are invited to the site on Friday, December 4 to experience a special version of A Colonial Christmas.  Oakley Plantation House will be trimmed in the style of the 1800s.  From 10 am until 5 pm, visitors will 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.  In addition, various hands-on craft demonstrations will be located throughout the park.   For more information, call 635-3739.

 

Christmas in the Country

This annual hometown celebration is set for the weekend of Friday, December 4 through Sunday, December 6.  The First Baptist Church Children’s Choir will sing on the front porch of Town Hall beginning at 5:30 pm, followed by the West Feliciana Middle School Choir singing on the front lawn at 6 pm.  They will make sure that Mayor Billy D’Aquilla doesn’t light the Town Christmas Tree too early!  After the lighting of the tree, there will be fireworks before the Mayor invites all to an open house and reception inside Town Hall where a certain man in a red suit will be there to hear some Christmas wishes.  The West Feliciana Parish Hospital will have a Balloon Release for the Relay for Life before the fireworks.  From 6 pm until 8 pm, you are invited to “Peep Into our Holiday Homes” as participating residents invite you to step up onto their porch and see their holiday decorations inside.  Don’t forget the annual Baton Rouge Symphony Concert at Hemingbough at 7 pm.  Throughout the weekend, Grace Episcopal Church and its members present an art exhibit – “Saints & Angels” in Jackson Hall with all proceeds going to the Anglican Diocese of Honduras for their mission work.  You can also check out the downtown shops for late night shopping.

 

Holiday Baking Contest

Christmas in the Country will hold a holiday baking contest this year on Saturday, December 5.  Entries must be delivered to the tent in Parker Park by 10 am, and judging is set for 11 am.  There are three categories of competition:  decorated cakes and desserts; candy and cookies; food gifts.  Awards will be given in both Adult and Student categories.  For more information, call 635-3614

 

Homegrown & Hip

That’s the theme for this year’s Christmas in the Country which continues on Saturday, December 5.  Beginning with a Prayer Breakfast at the Methodist Church Fellowship Hall at 7:30 am, the day continues with Breakfast with St. Nick at Grace Episcopal’s Jackson Hall with three seatings – at 8 am, 9:30 am and 11 am.  The Women’s Service League urges you to make reservations by calling 202-5403.  Tickets are $6 each.  Throughout the day there will be choirs and music throughout the downtown area, and for a complete schedule, check out www.stfrancisvillefestivals.com.  Parker Memorial Park will be filled with food, music and children’s activities like spacewalks, train and pony rides, games, The Main Street Band, Christmas photos and lots of food and fun.  Vendors will also be displaying and selling their homemade items such as jewelry, photographs, honey, paintings, t-shirts and much more.  All of these activities at Parker Park will be from 10 am until 4 pm.

 

Christmas Parade!

The Women’s Service League presents this fabulous children’s parade that begins at 2 pm on Saturday, December 5, and travels along Ferdinand and Commerce Streets.  This year’s theme – Homegrown & Hip – pays tribute to our local Farmers Market, its wonderful farmers and dedicated organizers.  Following the parade at 6 pm will be a Community Sing Along at the Methodist Church on Royal Street, and a Live Nativity from 6 pm until 8 pm at the First Baptist Church at the corner of Highway 10 and 61.

 

Merchants’ Specials

Here is a short list of special events that the local merchants and others have in store for this weekend:

Hillcrest on Commerce Street – Open House with refreshments, free ornament with purchase

Tattle Tales on Commerce Street – Enter a drawing for $100 gift certificate with purchase

Border Imports on Commerce Street – Open House and Sale

The Wine Parlor on Commerce Street – 10% off any bottle of wine

Sage Hill on Commerce Street – Complimentary refreshments, free gift wrap with purchase

Birdman Coffee & Books on Commerce Street – Arts Market, Face Paining and Children’s activities

Bohemianville Antiques on Commerce Street – Open House and refreshments

Magnolia Café – Friday night music by Signs; Saturday night music by Joe Hall & the LA Cane Cutters

Backwoods Gallery on Ferdinand Street – Open House

Toni Ladnier CPA & Photography on Ferdinand Street – Open House with appetizers, desserts

St. Francis Arts & Antiques on Ferdinand Street – Open House

Miller on Main – Open House

Belle Glen Traditions on Ferdinand Street – Special Clearance Sale

The Shanty Too on Ferdinand Street – Open House

Harrington Gallery on Royal Street – Holiday Exhibit

Grandmothers Buttons on Royal Street – Discontinued Jewelry Sale until dark

Ridgecrest on Myrtles Lane – “Fear No Art” showcasing 12 local artists on Sunday only, noon – 5pm

 

Candlelight Tour at Oakley

As an added feature of A Colonial Christmas on Saturday, December 5 at Audubon State Historic Site, candlelight tours of Oakley House will be given from 6 pm until 8 pm.  During the tour, traditional holiday snacks such as roasted chestnuts, fig puddings and wassail will be served.  There is a $2 adult admission fee with children 12 and under and senior citizens (62 and older) admitted free.

 

Christmas Tour of Homes

This tour of contemporary homes in West Feliciana Parish will be held on Sunday, December 6 from noon until 5 pm.  Tickets are $15 and will be on sale at the West Feliciana Historical Society Museum and at the Women’s Service League Fresh Wreaths booth on Ferdinand Street.  Homes on tour this year include the homes of Richard and Judy Campbell on Sweetwood Hollow in The Bluffs; Chuck and Heather Walters in Audubon Hills; Mike and Julie Bordelon on Plantation Drive in Plantation Ridge; and Mark Sigler on Hwy. 966 in Starhill.

 

Christmas at Rosedown

And for those who don’t get enough of the Christmas spirit this weekend, Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site will be ringing in the Christmas season on December 19 and 20, with the seventh annual “Christmas at Rosedown” event.  Throughout the weekend, visitors will see the Main House decorated in nineteenth-century style as site staff relate stories of Christmas traditions at Rosedown that were passed down through the Turnbull and Bowman families.  Each day, costumed living history presenters from around the area will be displaying numerous 19^th century crafts demonstrations and activities.  Among the demonstrations scheduled for this season’s celebration will be down-hearth cooking, candlemaking, spinning, quilting, medical arts and basket weaving.  Also featured will be period dancers, musicians and carolers.  In addition, children of all ages can enjoy hayrides and have a photo taken with “Father Christmas.”  Each day’s activities will culminate with a marshmallow roast.  As a special gift to visitors, garden admission is free, and fees for the main house are being reduced to $5 for the “Christmas at Rosedown” event.  The site will be open between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm.  For more information, call 225-635-3332.

 

News from our Neighbors

Our friends in East Feliciana have holiday events planned, too, and would like to invite us.  On Sunday, December 6, from 1 pm until 5 pm, the Annual Wreath Making will be held at Feliciana Cellars Winery.  The vines are harvested from two vineyards in Jackson and are provided for you.  The winery is open for tasting and tours daily.  For more information, please call 225-634-7982.

The 4^th Annual Ebenezer Scrooge Reindeer Race will be held on Saturday, December 12 at 3 pm in Historic Downtown Jackson on Charter Street.  Nine racing teams compete in a zany and unconventional race for trophies and “bragging rights” in the Felicianas – East Feliciana Sheriff, The District Attorney, teams from the Towns of Jackson, Clinton, Norwood, Slaughter and St. Francisville, and teams from Jackson and Clinton High Schools.  Little elves have been busy making delicious home-made goodies like pumpkin bread, chocolate chip cookies, pound cake, brownies and sausage cheese balls for sale.  Hot chocolate and mulled apple cider will also be available.  For more information, call 225-634-7951 or visit www.jacksonlouisiana.org.