Bienville Parish: Bonnie and Clyde Trade Days

Searching for something different? Enjoy browsing and shopping for unique, one-of-a-kind items? Then make plans to attend Bonnie and Clyde Trade Days in Arcadia, Louisiana. There's something for everyone at Bonnie and Clyde Trade Days. According to the Bonnie and Clyde Trade Days website, "Bonnie and Clyde Trade Days is Louisiana's ultimate outdoors bargain shopping experience."

For more information and directions, visit www.bonnieandclydetradedays.com.

Trade Days dates for 2009
February 13, 14, 15
March 13, 14, 15
April 17, 18, 19
May 15, 16, 17
June 12, 13, 14
July 17, 18, 19
August 14, 15, 16
September 18, 19, 20
October 16, 17 18
November 13, 14, 15
December 18, 19, 20

Mark your calendars and get ready for great fun!

Natchitoches Mardi Gras Magic

Mardi Gras makes its appearance in Natchitoches on Saturday, February 21 with lots of great FREE things to do.

On festival day, the streets of Natchitoches will be swarming with purple, green and gold. The Krewe of Wag-uns Parade, featuring both children and pets, will kick-off activities at 2 pm.

Throughout the day, fun for the whole family can be found. Special entertainment includes Jelly the Clown with LAFF-CO (Louisiana Association of Family Fun – Clown Organization) who will entertain children with balloon art and magic shows. The Natchitoches Parish Library will be downtown with their bookmobile providing Mardi Gras masks for children to decorate and give away free beads. A children’s area will be provided behind Exchange Bank with inflatable jumpers, a rock wall and bungee jumps. The Northwestern Theatre Out on a Limb Improv Troupe will provide entertainment for children and adults with interactive skits and performances.

Musical entertainment will be provided by Hardrick Rivers and Rivers Revue. Attendees are also encouraged to participate in tailgating on the downtown riverbank.

Participants may bring throws and candy, but they are not required. Pets should be on a leash and owners must be present at all times. No ATVs are permitted. Golf carts are permissible if drive by an adult. Children can ride scooters, bicycles, wagon, etc, and must be accompanied by an adult.

Anyone interested in participating in the Krewe of Wag-uns parade should meet at the Bank of Montgomery parking lot, located at 814 Washington Street, at 1 pm. Awards will be given for the best pet costume and best decorated children’s entry.

The Krewe of Dionysos, one of the local Mardi Gras Krewes, will host their Mardi Gras Parade on February 21. The parade will begin on the east side of Natchitoches at 5:30 p.m. and continue to downtown Natchitoches.

The parade consists of approximately 50 units with 9 super floats. The floats will carry costumed riders who will throw trinkets, beads and candy.

Downtown businesses will be open for meals and shopping. So stop, shop, and say hello to all the shop owners and staff.

For more information about Mardi Gras events or other upcoming events, contact the Natchitoches Area Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-259-1714 or log on our website at www.natchitoches.net.

Source: Latisha McDaniel, Natchitoches Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
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Union Parish Events

Saturday, February 14, 1:00 p.m., Union Parish Heritage Parade, for more information call 318-368-1441 or 318-368-9242.

Saturday, February 21, 6:00 p.m., Mardi Gras Parade, for more information call Farmerville Jaycees, 318-368-0044.

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED. Saturday, February 28, 8:00 a.m., Lake D’Arbonne Big Bass Splash, this is an hourly pay out based on 200 entries. Merchant sponsorship available. For more information call 318-801-9424.

Saturday, March 21, All Day -- Bass fishing tournament, sponsored by Fishers of Men on Lake D'Arbonne. Launch & weigh-in at Ludwig Marine. For information, call 318-548-4196 or 318-368-8922. Friday night meeting and dinner at Antioch Baptist Church.

Saturday, April 4, 10:00 AM -- Corney Creek Pageant – will be held in the Bernice Civic Center. The pageant for ages 1-8 will begin at 10:00 a.m. ages 9-18 at 6:00 p.m. For more information call 318-285-9743 or 318-368-5300.

Friday & Saturday, April 17th & 18th, The Corney Creek Great Outdoor Festival in Bernice, 318-368-5300.

Source: Union Parish Chamber of Commerce
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Avoyelles Parish: Events

January 22, 2009, Artist Market, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Paragon Casino Resort, outside area of Mari Showroom, for more information call 1-800-833-4195.

February 7, Krewe of Cyllenius Mardi Gras Ball, Avoyelles Plaza Ballroom, limited number of tickets available to public, for more information contact 318-253-6501

February 8, Krewe of Cyllenius Mardi Gras Parade, Marksville, Parade begins at 2:00 p.m., Lineup begins at 12:30 p.m., call 318-253-7518 for more information.

February 21, Moncla Mardi Gras Parade, 2:00 p.m. Parade begins on Hwy. 115/107 just outside of Marksville City Limits and will end in downtown Marksville. Call 318-253-9830 for more information.

February 24, Simmesport Mardi Gras Parade, 10:00 a.m. Parade begins on Mission Drive and ends at Yellow Bayou Civil War Park, Simmesport.

Source: Avoyelles Commission of Tourism, 8592 Hwy. 1, Mansura, LA 71350, 800-833-4195

Marksville Chamber of Commerce: 318-253-8315 or 318-253-9222
Bunkie Chamber of Commerce: 318-346-2575; www.bunkie.org
Mansura Chamber of Commerce: 318-964-2887
Simmesport Chamber of Commerce: 318-941-2241
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Sabine Parish Events For January 2009

There are many fun and exciting events in Sabine Parish. The Sabine Parish Chamber of Commerce and Tourist Commission do an excellent job of promoting and organizing information on Sabine Parish and the surrounding area. Click on the links below to explore. Make plans to get outside and enjoy what North Louisiana has to offer. Time's a wastin'!

January 2009
Sabine Parish Chamber of Commerce

Sabine Parish Tourist Commission
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Fourth Annual Natchitoches Bridal Extravaganza

Elegant event to showcase north-central Louisiana bridal vendors

If wedding bells are in your future you will not want to miss the fourth annual Natchitoches Bridal Extravaganza on Sunday, January 25, 2009.

The Natchitoches Bridal Extravaganza, co-sponsored by KLAX-ABC 31, will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Natchitoches Events Center, located at 750 Second Street in the Natchitoches Historic District. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children 12 and under.

The Bridal Extravaganza highlights vendors from all aspects of wedding planning including photographers, caterers, wedding planners, beauty consultants, jewelers, travel agencies, designer bridal gowns and tuxedos all in one location!

This show is sure to be a relaxing, stress-free and fun way to plan the wedding of your dreams. A special treat is in store for your guy, so don’t forget to bring him along as well as your entire wedding party.

In addition to exhibitors, the Bridal Extravaganza features a fashion show that will give you the opportunity to see the latest bridal attire up close. Attire that is showcased in the fashion show includes casual wear, flower girl dresses, mother of the bride dresses, tuxedos, bridesmaid dresses, wedding gowns and much more.

The Natchitoches Bridal Extravaganza offers attendees an opportunity to win thousands of dollars in jewelry, weekend getaway trips, free rental at the Natchitoches Events Center and numerous other large door prizes. Various other door prizes are drawn throughout the day by our exhibitors.

For more information about the show, call Natchitoches Events Center Marketing Director Chris Post at 877-238-7502.

Written by: Chris Post, City of Natchitoches
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