November 20, 2008

Christmas in Roseland presents 25th Annual Lights Festival

"Sleigh bells ring, are ya listening, in the lanes snow is glistening, it's a beautiful sight we're happy tonight, walking in a winter wonderland."

Start a new family tradition, visit the Gardens of the American Rose Center for Christmas in Roseland, November 28th through December 26th at the American Rose Center on Jefferson-Paige Road in Greenwood, Louisiana. Spend time walking through the magical gardens of the American Rose Center. The gardens are transformed into a winter wonderland and offer great fun for all ages. This is a great family outing!
This is the 25th year of Christmas in Roseland and there are many special events to celebrate this anniversary. including a Christmas in Roseland Sneak-Peak Friday, November 21st and Saturday, November 22nd.

Can’t wait until Christmas? Catch some early holiday spirit as the American Rose Center opens Christmas in Roseland this Friday and Saturday, November 21st and 22md, for a sneak peak weekend. Dozens of scenes and twinkling lights are already in place, and Santa Claus will be on hand to hear early wish lists as holiday tunes from the Windsounds Carillon fill the gardens. Gates open each evening at 5:30 p.m., with the last car admitted at 9:30 p.m.

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More than a million “blooming” lights will adorn the rosebushes of the American Rose Center as this popular attraction prepares for its 25th Annual Christmas in Roseland celebration. This year’s event will run Tuesdays through Sundays, November 28th - December 24th, with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. with the last car admitted at 8:30 p.m. on Sundays and Tuesdays through Thursdays and at 9:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Each holiday season thousands of local residents and tourists visit this whimsical, sparkling wonderland. Centerstage again this year is the 18-foot tall, white, Victorian “Santa’s Cottage” where the jolly old elf will be accepting guests each Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening and the week prior to Christmas.

The wonder begins Friday, November 28th, as Christmas in Roseland officially kicks off its 25th anniversary season. The Summerfield Estates Silver Bells Choir will lead off the opening ceremonies at 6:00 p.m., followed by Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover’s proclamation of Christmas in Roseland Day in the city. The Shriner’s Clown Patrol will escort Santa onto the premises followed by a civic presentation of “The Nutcracker” by the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet.

Other holiday delights include:
  • dozens of lighted displays, animated scenes and illuminated walkways interspersed amid twinkling trees, shrubs and rose beds;
  • more than 50 giant “Christmas Cards to the Community” created by local elementary, middle school and high school students;
  • a model train display in the Administration Building;
  • a holiday quilt display by the Red River Quilters;
  • a photography exhibit by the Alexandria Photography Guild;
  • nightly entertainment at Windsounds Carillon Tower and Hardtner Chapel;
  • Santa's Candy Shop;
  • the Roseland Express;
  • the American Rose Center Gift Shop filled with an array of holiday and gift selections;
  • full-service concession stand on grounds.


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Christmas in Roseland joins with
Movies & Moonbeams to show
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas"


What could be better than watching a holiday classic at a holiday classic? Christmas in Roseland is joining with the Robinson Film Center’s Movies and Moonbeams to show “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” at 7:00 p.m., 7:45 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. on Friday, December 12th.

The movie will be part of the evening’s activities at Christmas in Roseland and will be free with paid admission. Visitors are encouraged to dress warmly and bring blankets for the outdoor presentation.

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"Nutcracker" Civic Performance

The enchantment of “The Nutcracker” will fill the Gardens of the American Rose Center as the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet presents an excerpt of the holiday classic Friday, November 28th, on the opening night of Christmas in Roseland 2008. The performance is set for 7:00 p.m. at Windsounds Carillon Tower

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Holiday Quilt Display

Christmas in Roseland is joining with the Red River Quilters in celebrating their joint 25th anniversaries with a holiday quilt showing featured throughout the holiday festival. Approximately a dozen holiday and traditional quilts will be part of the show on display in the Administration Building of the American Rose Center, Tuesdays through Sundays, Nov. 28 – Dec. 24.

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Photography show "An Exhibit of Roses"

Doctor, lawyer, forester, teacher, military man, highwayman, professionals and hobbyists – all members of the Photographers’ Guild of Alexandria were challenged to photograph roses in any form. The goal was the hanging of an exhibit at the Gardens of the American Rose Center.

The challenge was met. “An Exhibit of Roses,” on display at Klima Rose Hall through Dec. 24, includes more than 40 photographs varying in subject from bud to bloom and roses in the garden to roses in the hand.

The exhibit is open to the public during normal Christmas in Roseland, Tuesdays – Sundays, November 28th – December 24th.
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Special Discount Nights

Tuesday, December 2nd, every 25th car admitted free of charge
Wednesday December 3rd, 25% discount on all gift shop purchases
Sunday, December 7th, $2.50 single admission night
Thursday, December 11th, any with a 25th birthday in 2008 admitted free (i.d. required)
Tuesday, December 16th, KRMD Radio $1.01 admission night.

Located 8877 Jefferson Paige Road, just off I-20, Exit 5, in Shreveport, Louisiana, the Gardens of the American Rose Center is easily accessible for local residents and tourists. Admission for this family-oriented celebration is just $5 per person or $15 per carload, whichever is less. Mini-bus and charter bus rates are also available, making Christmas in Roseland a convenient and affordable holiday outing. For more information on this event or Christmas in Roseland, call 318-938-5534 or see www.ars.org/Coming_Events/garden-center.html.
Source and photo credit: The Gardens of the American Rose Center