The holiday season is upon us and area communities are celebrating with visits from Santa, parades, Farmer’s Markets, etc. Reeves will be the first event followed by several on Saturday, December 4, in Kinder, Oberlin and Elton.
Reeves
Reeves will begin with a “Jingle and Mingle” on Friday, December 3. Elected officials, fire department and the recreation and water boards are hosting the annual Community Christmas Celebration, which will be held at 6 p.m. at the Recreation Park.
Seafood and chicken and sausage gumbo will be available, along with hot chocolate, holiday apple cider, desserts, Christmas music and a visit from Santa himself.
Kinder
On Saturday morning, December 4, Kinder will kick off its Hometown Holidays celebration at 10 a.m. downtown.
Barbara Savant, Kinder Chamber’s executive director, said they have over 30 booths. She said visitors to the event will find sweet potatoes and mustard greens, to name a few Farmer’s Market items, and crafts like wooden yard signs, swings, makeup, jewelry, etc.
She said food items will be available for lunch.
The annual Christmas parade will be at 10:30 a.m. Lineup will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Lambert Park. The grand marshal this year is 2021 Miss Louisiana Julia Claire Williams.
Entertainment downtown starts at 11:30 a.m. There will be lots of activities for the kids from rides, face painting, a petting zoo, crafts, kids games, etc.. Santa will there to take pictures from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
All of this is possible thanks to Ace Hardware, Cleco, State Farm, Allen Parish Community Healthcare, JD Bank, Farm Bureau, Representative Dewith Carrier, Allstate, Ardoin’s Funeral Home, Heinen Medical Kinder, Buds and Blossom, McDonalds, Beci, First Louisiana Title, Teachers Pet and Hebert Holmes and Bertrand.
Elizabeth
The annual Christmas in the Country in Elizabeth celebration will be observed Saturday, December 4. For more information, please email rickykristybrown@aol.com.
A kid barrel train ride along with demonstrations from Kenson Ryu Karate at 11 a.m. and Helen Gordon School of Dance at 2 p.m.
The annual Christmas parade will be Saturday, December 11, at 4 p.m. Lineup will be at 2:30 p.m. Dr. Patrick Savoy, M.D. is the grand marshal of the parade.
Fireworks will begin at 6 p.m. The concession stand will open before the fireworks at Curtis T. Memorial Football Field with gumbo, nachos and drinks for sale.
For more information, email the Chamber at oakdaleareachamb@ gmail.com. You also can visit them at city hall.
Oberlin
The Town of Oberlin will present Christmas on Main Street, Saturday, December 4.
There will be a holiday lighting contest. Deadline to enter is Thursday, December 3. Winners will be announced at Farmer’s Market on December 4, at 1:30 p.m.
There will be a chili cookoff. Tasting kits will go on sale at 10 a.m. Winners will be announced at 1 p.m. Registration has closed for the contest.
There will be vendors and food trucks. Parade lineup is at 4 p.m. The parade will begin at 4:30 p.m.
For more information, call 337-639-4333.
Elton
Elton’s Christmas Parade will be Saturday, December 4, at 6 p.m.
Vendors will be on the square for an arts and crafts and Farmer’s Market event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wayne Singleton and Same Ol 2 Step will play from 4 to 7 p.m.
The grand marshal will be Curt Guillory, Jeff Davis Police Jury, who has served his community for 13 years.
Saturday,
December 11
Two community events will follow Saturday, December 11, in Elton and Oakdale.
Coushatta Tribe
The Coushatta Tribe will host the Koasati Hometown Holiday event on Saturday, December 11.
A car show begins at 9 a.m. Entry is $10 per vehicle, and a free t-shirt will be given for every entry. Prizes will be given at noon to the top finishers. For more information, call Katie Arvie at 337-584-1545.
Live music will be provided by LA Express, Koasati Dance and Drum Performance.
The parade lineup will begin at 9 a.m. All participants need to be in their vehicle by 11:30 a.m., because the parade starts at 12 noon. For more information, call Janie Fisher (337-499-6364), Landon Daigle (337-275-8329) or Michele Tyler (337-302-2770).
Oakdale
The Oakdale Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring Holiday Dazzle on Main from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, December 9. Those wishing to participate will receive a special light bulb to designate they are participating in the holiday event.
“The Oakdale’s Christmas Festival in Oakdale will be Saturday, December 11. There will be a kid barrel train ride along with demonstrations from Kenson Ryu Karate at 11 a.m. and Helen Gordon School of Dance at 2 p.m.
The annual Christmas parade will be Saturday, December 11, at 4 p.m. Lineup will be at 2:30 p.m. Dr. Patrick Savoy, M.D. is the grand marshal of the parade.
Fireworks will begin at 6 p.m. The concession stand will open before the fireworks at Curtis T. Memorial Football Field with gumbo, nachos and drinks for sale.
For more information, email the Chamber at oakdaleareachamb@ gmail.com. You also can visit them at city hall.