Visit a Louisiana Tree Farm this year

PUBLISHER'S NOTE: My apologies to anyone who is listed incorrectly. The original post was written in November 2008. If the information is incorrect, please email me an I will update it.

Oh Christmas Tree! Oh Christmas Tree!
Time to think about Christmas trees. Start a new family tradition by going to one of these LOUISIANA Christmas Tree Farms and picking out a tree. Make some memories, enjoy a day of fresh farm air.


Bossier Parish
Cool Breeze Farm
 15860 Hwy. 157, Benton, Louisiana 71006, 318-326-4980

Peterson Drive Christmas Tree Farm
 318-355-7937, 126 Peterson Drive, Benton. Open Friday afternoons; all day Saturdays; Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sell Virginia Pine and Leyland Cypress trees.


Caddo Parish
Adams Tree Farm
318-686-4770, 6391 Buncombe Road, .7 miles off Pines Road. Open 9 a.m. to dark, Monday through Saturday; 1 p.m. to dark Sunday. Virginia pine and Leland cypress trees which are grown on the farm; Noble fir and Grand fir shipped to the farm.

Christmas Wood Tree Farm
318-683-0592, 3223 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop, Shreveport, 1/5 miles west of Mansfield Road between Walker and Dean Roads. Hours 10 a.m. until dark Saturdays; and weekdays by appointment. Leyland cypress trees.


Shaw Christmas Tree Farm
318-284-3584, Hwy. 71, 1 mile north of Ida.

Weaver's Christmas Tree Farm
2995 Jolly Napier Rd, Shreveport, LA 71119, 318-636-6101. Choose from Leyland cypress, Carolina sapphire, Blue Ice, Cut Fraser fir. Also have a gift shop and sell tree stands.

Concordia Parish
Marie's Trees
1010 Doty Road, Ferriday, LA 71334, 318-757-4911, 318-715-4910 Choose from leyland & ovensii, virginia pine, blue ice, blue nalor,frasier fir (sizes 5-6 ft up to 8-9 ft )from north carolina to arrive 2 days before Thanksgiving. Items available to purchase tree stands, trees netted, wreaths, ornaments, decorated cypress knees, pecans shelled. And enjoy a kiddie train ride for children cost: $3.00. North on LA 15, turn west on Kentucky Ave. (Hwy 903). Go 2 miles to farm on left.


Fletcher Christmas Tree Farm, 3725 Highway 921, Clayton, LA 71326, 318-389-5894. Directions: FM 921, 3 miles south on Hwy. 15, between Clayton & Sicily Island.

DeSoto Parish
Santa's Woods, 732 Stonewall Frierson Road, Frierson, Louisiana 71027, 318-797-4749. Open day after Thanksgiving and every Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until sold out. www.santaswoods.net

Lincoln Parish
Beavers Christmas Tree Farm
2237 Hwy. 563, Simsboro, LA 71275, 318-247-8238
Choose from Leyland cypress, Virginia pine, Carolina Sapphire, Red Cedar. Also sell tree stands. Farm located at 2237 LA Hwy. 563, get off of I-20 at the Industry Exit #78, this exit is between the Grambling and Simsboro exits, go north on Hwy. 563 approximately 5 miles and the farm will be located on the right.

Ouachita Parish
Pepper Christmas Tree Farm
2181 Hwy 557, West Monroe, LA 71292, 318-387-5172
Choose from Leyland cypress, Carolina Sapphire, Blue Ice. Also sell tree stands, snow flocking. From West Monroe; go S on Hwy 34, 7 mi.; past paper mill take left on Hwy 557, go 2.5 miles to farm on left

Precious Memories Christmas Tree Farm, LLC
455 Glen Acres Road, Calhoun, LA 71225, 318-396-5113
"Full Service Christmas Tree Farm" Opening the Saturday before Thanksgiving November 22, 2008 thru Sunday before Christmas. Daily Monday thru Friday 10:00 until dark, Saturday and Sunday 8:00 until dark. Trees available are Virginia Pine, Leyland Cypress, Notabilis, Blue Ice, Carolina Sapphire, Red Cedar and North Carolina Fraser Fir (fresh pre-cut Fraser Firs from North Carolina available Thanksgiving weekend.)
Other fun on the farm: sleigh rides for the kids and kid at heart, Candy Christmas mints, Christmas tree pin stands for sale (takes the hassle out of straightening your tree) and fresh wreaths made daily. From I-20 Exit 108 (Cheniere Drew), go north on LA 546/LA15 for 2 miles to the intersection at Drew School. Take a left onto LA15 and continue for 2 miles (Look for our big sign on the right). Turn right onto Glen Acres Road and stay straight for .5 mile. Tree farm is on the left (Look for our sign). http://www.preciousmemorieschristmastreefarm.com

Rapides Parish
A & N Christmas Forest, 318-563-4011 or 318-563-4785, Directions: from Alexandria, Hwy. 1 south 18 miles to Echo, turn right at Cheneyville Echo Road or Sandy Lane Road, ½ mile to stop sign, turn left, 2nd house on right

Miltons' Christmas Tree Farm
1605 Hwy. 457, Lecompte, LA 71346, 318-442-0565. Choose from Leyland cypress, Virginia pine, Red Cedar.

Peachy Pines, 100 Locker Road, Deville, Louisiana 71328, 318-449-1142

Richland Parish
Curry's Christmas Tree Farm
548 Robinson Drive, Rayville, LA 71269, 318-728-6203. Choose from Leyland cypress, Virginia pine, Carolina Sapphire, Red Cedar, Blue Ice. Also, sell tree stands, offer hay rides, snow flocking, maze, field tours. I-20 east from Monroe to exit 132 then follow signs.

Sabine Parish
L & L Christmas Trees
 318-645-6988, 157 S. Main Street.

Tensas Parish
Barfield Tree Farm
318-467-5532, Hwy. 4, 3.5 miles west of Hwy. 65.

Vernon Parish
Sanders Christmas Tree Farm 
294 Westbrooks Rd., Hornbeck, Louisiana 71439, 318-565-3152

Webster Parish
Hollis Tree Farm
318-371-0530, Directions: from Minden, 2 miles on U.S. Hwy. 79, left Miller Road, go 3 miles. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays; 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturdays; 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Virginia Pine and Leyland Cypress.

Old Beck House Christmas Tree Farm & Gift Shop, 318-377-0310, 112 Beck Curve Road, U.S. Highway 80, Minden. Open 1 p.m. until dark each day. Douglas fir, Leyland cypress and Virginia pine; other items include: wreaths, gift baskets and stockings.

Allen Parish
Grant Christmas Tree Farm & Syrup Mill
318-634-3408, Farm Address: 716 Whitaker Rd., Grant, LA 70644. Leyland Cypress, Virginia Pine, Fraser Fir trees, fresh wreaths and garland.
Fall festival the three Saturdays following Thanksgiving from 8 a.m. ‘til 6 p.m. The festival includes watching an old time cane press, making syrup, homemade biscuits, syrup, sausage and milk gravy, or chip beef barbeque sandwich, listen to blue grass and gospel music or take the children to the petting zoo. There's also arts & crafts and a hayride. For more details
visit: http://www.grantchristmastreefarm.com

If you have a Christmas Tree Farm that you would like listed here, please email louisianatrekker (at)gmail(dot)com.

PHOTO CREDIT: Leyland Cypress from The National Christmas Tree Association

Sources: Southern Christmas Tree Association
Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry
www.garden.com
Louisiana Forestry Association

Other links about caring for real trees and finding tree farms from the LSU AgCenter and the National Christmas Tree Association.

Selecting a live Christmas tree from the LSU AgCenter

Real Tree Safety Tips, Not Scare Tactics

Selecting and Caring for a Real Tree

If you don't see the tree farm you are looking for then try this link to The National Christmas Tree Association or the Louisiana Forestry Association 

Step Back in Time at the Minden Cemetery Ghost Walk.

The 7th Annual Minden Cemetery Ghost Walk tours will begin at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, November 13, with the last tour starting at 3:00 p.m. and lasting a little over an hour.

The tour will feature ghosts and living history lessons from actors and actresses in period costume portraying Minden’s past leading citizens. Step back in time as you listened to the stories being told.  In a little over an hour, you can see Confederate soldiers along with early business leaders, teachers, doctors and politicians. This is a rare opportunity to learn about Minden’s past community leaders, citizens and history. The Ghost Walk teaches you how Minden’s women and men endured through great hardships and strived to overcome great obstacles to make Minden what it is today.

If you missed the tour last year, you don’t want to miss it this year. For more information on the Minden Cemetery located on Bayou Avenue and the annual tour, visit http://www.mindencemetery.blogspot.com/ or you can contact Schelley Brown at 318-423-0192. 

BROUGHT TO YOU IN PART BY THE WEBSTER PARISH CONVENTION AND VISITORS

By: Webster Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau

Winnsboro-Franklin Parish Chamber of Commerce Christmas Events

Christmas Events

The annual Christmas Parade sponsored by the Winnsboro-Franklin Parish Chamber of Commerce is scheduled for Friday, December 3, on the streets of downtown Winnsboro.

This year's event marks the eighth year the parade has been held after dark, and parade organizers note that the event has grown each year. As usual, the parade will be the culmination of a week-long series of yuletide events in Winnsboro.

Float builders are encouraged to contact the Chamber office to register their float for the parade, which will draw thousands of viewers from throughout Franklin Parish and beyond.

"Last year couldn't have been any better because of the snow that fell before and during the parade," said parade co-chair Paul Price, Jr. "We really don't expect that to happen again, but you never know."

Price noted that the annual event has become a great advertising opportunity for local and area businesses.

"If the past few years have been any indication, this is a great opportunity for local businesses to get their name before the public because, weather permitting, there will be a huge crowd watching the parade."

Bands, elected officials, and beauty queens, along with beautiful lighted floats will comprise this year's parade, which will follow the traditional parade route in downtown Winnsboro.

In addition, a limited number of local non-profit organizations will be selling food and beverages in selected spots along the parade route.

The parade will culminate with the annual fireworks display at Landis Park.

"This event continues to grow, and we hope groups from throughout the parish will enter floats in this year's parade," said parade co-chair Noble Ellington III. "Cash prizes will be awarded to for the best floats, and we hope the friendly float building competition among our local banks and businesses to maintain its intensity."

Commercial float entries will compete for the Santa trophy that they will get to display for a year, while non-profit groups will compete for cash prizes in different categories.

Antique cars are also encouraged to participate in this event, and trophies and cash prizes will be awarded to the top three vehicles. This category is open to any antique car owner within the parish and beyond.

"Car owners will need to register with the Chamber office by November 24," Price said. "Owners can contact the chamber office of visit the chamber website for entry forms."

Also on tap during the week following the Thanksgiving holidays is the annual tree lighting ceremony across the street from Winnsboro City Hall. That event will take place on Tuesday, November 30, at 6 p.m. at the gazebo, and will be coordinated by Wellspring.

Christmas trees sponsored by local businesses on the "Trail of Trees" along the Walking Trail in Winnsboro will also be turned on during the week, and on Thursday, December 2, the annual Children's Christmas Parade will be held on the streets of downtown Winnsboro starting at 6 p.m.

Children from throughout the parish are encouraged to "dress up" their bicycles, electric cars, and wagons and participate in this event.

Entry forms, rules, and other parade information are posted on the Chamber website at http://www.winnsborochamber.com/christmasforms.htm.

Information from Winnsboro Chamber of Commerce.

Christmas Parade in Coushatta

The Coushatta - Red River Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Christmas Parade on Thursday, December 2nd.

The Town of Coushatta will sponsor a Fireworks Extravaganza after the parade; the viewing area will be at the Boat Launch under the Red River Bridge.

The parade line-up is at 3:00 p.m. at the Fair Grounds and the parade will roll at 4:00p.m.(schools will let out at noon that day).  The parade route is from the Fair Grounds and will end on Front Street in front of the Methodist church.

Information supplied from Red River Chamber of Commerce.

Monroe Events for November

Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall

November 5-7, Free

Chennault Aviation and Military Museum of Louisiana, 701 Kansas Lane, Monroe

318-362-5540, www.chennaultmmla.org

Experience this unique expression of honor to the soldiers, sailors, and airmen who sacrificed for our country.

Taste of the Twin Cities

Showcasing local restaurants featuring samples of delicious food while retail exhibitors offer opportunities to shop from an array of specialties! And you won't want to miss the live entertainment by local musicians.

November 20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Cost $15

West Monroe Convention Center, 901 Ridge Ave., West Monroe, Louisiana

www.tasteofthetwincities.org

Christmas on the River

November 27

Gallery Open House on Art Alley

11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Downtown Monroe/West Monroe

Downtown Christmas Market

Noon to 5 p.m.

Downtown Monroe Riverwalk

100 N. Grand, Monroe

Christmas Express Train

4 p.m., 212 Walnut Street, Monroe

Lighting Ceremony

4:30 p.m., Antique Alley, Trenton Street, West Monroe

Little Miss Christmas on the River Pageant

6:30 p.m., Antique Alley, Trenton Street, West Monroe

November 28

Chamber Arts Brass Christmas Concert

4 p.m., Biedenharn Museum & Gardens, 2006 Riverside Drive, Monroe

For more events

Information from Monroe-West Monroe Convention & Visitors' Bureau