Parish holiday festivities kick off today
There are plenty of Christmas celebrations planned across the parish for all to enjoy, as each community has events scheduled to entertain area residents.
The Town of Elton will host Magnolias and Mistletoe from 3-7 p.m. today, Nov. 30, and from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday. The two-day event will offer a unique shopping opportunity to the public while also collecting donations for the Keagan Center’s annual Christmas Food Drive.
The Town of Elton and the Coushatta Tribe parade will begin at 11 a.m. Dec. 1. The Coushatta Farmers Market will also take place from 8 a.m. until noon that same day.
The Jennings Christmas Festival and Parade will also be held Saturday, with the parade kick off down Main Street at 4 p.m. Following the parade, the festival will continue at the Louisiana Oil and Gas Park with the Bring on the Roux gumbo cook-off judging and at 7:30 p.m., the Winter Dreams Fireworks Show.
Lake Arthur’s Hall of Trees display will be open to the public from Dec. 1 through Dec. 21 at city hall.
From 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, the Town of Welsh will have its Holiday Shopping Market at the Welsh Community Center. The event will raise funds needed for an annual Christmas Drive and also to help cover medical expenses for a local family affected by cancer.
On Tuesday, Dec. 6, starting at 10 a.m., Christmas Bingo sponsored by Golden Age of Welsh will be held at the Welsh Community. The event is open to senior citizens in the parish. Lunch will be served.
Also for parish senior citizens, the Council on Aging will have its annual Christmas party from 8 a.m. until noon Friday, Dec. 7, at the multipurpose building at the Jeff Davis Parish Fairgrounds in Jennings. The event is free and open to all parish residents aged 60 and over are invited.
Christmas on the Lake will take place Saturday, Dec. 8 in Lake Arthur. A holiday parade will begin at 6 p.m. along with a fireworks display and boat parade to follow. There will also be an opportunity for pictures with Santa directly after the parade.
Elton will see a Christmas music event Monday, Dec. 10, at the Keagan Center, located at 211 Pine St. in Elton. From 6:30-8 p.m., Christmas-themed and Christian songs can be performed by anyone who would like to participate. The event is open to the public.
Founder’s Park in Jennings will be the site of Hot Chocolate with Santa from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14. The event is free and open to the public.
The Village of Fenton will offer a Christmas luncheon for its elderly residents starting at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at village hall.
The Town of Welsh will hold its Hometown Christmas event that Dec. 14 in the downtown area. The parade will begin at 4 p.m. and the lighting of the town tree will take place in Veterans Park immediately after. Hot cocoa will be served and carriage rides will be available. There will also be a gumbo cookoff held.
Last but not least, the Annual Christmas Cantata will have two performances on Dec. 16, one at 9 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Roanoke and another at 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Welsh.