Happenings

Highway 61 Closure

Work is now scheduled to begin on Friday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m. and will last until Monday, Nov. 24, at 6 a.m., weather permitting. Crews will be working 24 hours a day to complete the work, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced today.

 

On Friday, Nov. 21, automobile traffic will be detoured via La. 10 east of St. Francisville and La. 68. Beginning Saturday, Nov. 22, automobile traffic will be detoured via La. 966 and La. 965. Commercial truck traffic is being detoured via La. 10 east of St. Francisville and La. 68. All emergency vehicle traffic will be allowed through during the closure.

 

The closure will allow workers to install new cross drains at three locations on U.S. 61 between Thompson Creek and St. Francisville. The work is part of an $18.9 million project to widen a 4.6-mile stretch of U.S. 61 from two to four lanes.

 

Ferry Schedule

The ferry is still operating on a limited schedule.  Monday through Friday the ferry runs from 6:00 am until 6:00 pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays the hours are 7:00 am until 7:00 pm.

 

Live Music at The Mag

Friday, November 21 – Bossier & Neighbors; Friday, November 28 – Delta Drifters

 

OxBow and Thanksgiving

The OxBow Restaurant will be open and serving a traditional Thanksgiving dinner from 11:00 am until 2:30 pm on Thanksgiving Day.  Make your reservations by calling 635-6276.

 

And Here Comes Christmas!

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.

 

A Colonial Christmas

December 5 and 6, Audubon State Historic Site re-creates a late Colonial/Early Federal Period Christmas at Oakley.  The house will be dressed in a setting of natural greens while the kitchens will be busily working on the Christmas dinner and sweets.  Open for school groups on Friday, December 5 from 9 am until 1 pm, and to the general public on Saturday, December 6 from 10 am until 4 pm, costumed interpreters will take visitors through the holiday decorated home and relate the history of various Christmas traditions from that period and how they relate to today.  For more information, call 888-677-2838 toll free or 635-3739 locally.

 

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 Street.

 

Christmas in the Country

Events begin on Friday, December 5 at 5:30 pm as the First Baptist Church Children’s Choir will sing on the front porch of Town Hall.  That is followed, as always, at 6 pm with Mayor Billy D’Aquilla lighting the Town’s Christmas Tree.  Afterwards there will be a reception in Town Hall where a special visitor is waiting to hear your Christmas wish.

 

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 trollies 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.

 

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 early!

 

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.

 

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.

 

Christmas in the Country

While I’ve highlighted some events, there are so many things going on during the weekend of December 5 through December 7.  For a complete schedule, visit www.stfrancisvillefestivals.com for all the times and events, or visit the Information Center in the Museum on Ferdinand Street for a copy.