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Washington Parish residents looking for some early Yuletide cheer will certainly have their choice of Christmas season events this weekend, as multiple groups have activities planned for Saturday and Sunday.

 

Christmas in the Park

Celebrate the magic of Christmas as you stroll through Bogalusa’s forested Cassidy Park. Warm up by the Yule log or with a cup of hot chocolate from the café. Santa Claus visits the park every night and he wants to hear your child’s Christmas list. The park’s half-mile circular road is closed to traffic so you and your family can enjoy the beauty of over 1 million colored lights and the music, as you stroll at your own pace past the Cajun village and the lake filled with jumping fish, an alligator, turtles and a swan. Christmas in the Park, celebrating its 28th annual presentation, is a well loved family tradition. The event will be open Dec. 3-5, Dec. 10-12 and Dec. 17-26 (including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). Drive-through hours are 6 p.m. until 7 p.m., and walk-through hours are 7 p.m. until 8:45 p.m. In case of rain, drive-through will be required regardless of time. Admission is $5 for adult walkers, $1 for student walkers, and $10 per vehicle for drive-through. For more information, call the City of Bogalusa at 985-732-6214 or Washington Parish Tourism at 985-839-5228 (or online at www.washingtonparishtourism.com). “Christmas in the Park” is also on Facebook.

 

Pioneer Christmas Parade

The annual Pioneer Christmas Parade will be in Franklinton at the Washington Parish Fairgrounds on Saturday, Dec. 4, starting at 9 a.m. This parade has been going on for years, and was the first Christmas parade in Franklinton. Featuring beautiful horses and wagons, it is the only Franklinton parade — outside of the fair parade — that allows horses.

 

Varnado Store Museum Christmas festival

The D.A. Varnado Store Museum’s annual Christmas festival will be Saturday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 5, from noon until 5 p.m. at the Commercial Building at the Washington Parish Fairgrounds in Franklinton. There will be arts and crafts, food, a Santa appearance and photos, gift raffle, raffle tree and old-fashioned Christmas entertainment. The Mile Branch Pioneer Christmas will also be held across the street.

 

Mile Branch Pioneer Christmas

The Mile Branch Settlement Pioneer Christmas will be Saturday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Mile Branch Settlement at the Washington Parish Fairgrounds in Franklinton. Christmas trees from McMillan’s Nursery will be available for purchase. There will also be food, arts and crafts; live music; a walk-through nativity scene; and much more.

 

Walk-Through Life of Christ

“Walk-Through Life of Christ,” a live presentation, will be offered during Mile Branch Pioneer Christmas at the Washington Parish Fairgrounds, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3, and from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4.

 

Jingle Paws at animal shelter

Everyone is invited to the second annual “Jingle Paws” holiday-themed low-cost vaccine clinic for cats and dogs, which will be held Saturday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Washington Parish Animal Shelter, located at 23046 YACC Road. Come enjoy local vendors who work with the shelters, and meet shelter pets from Washington Parish and Bogalusa Animal Control. Also available will be a free photo with an animal-loving Santa. Activities include an ugly sweater contest, painted paw prints, pet adoptions, foods and beverages, and a raffle sponsored by local businesses. No appointment is necessary. All proceeds from the event will go directly toward the animals housed at the shelter. Please bring cats in a pet taxi and dogs on a leash. Check out the shelter on Facebook for more information on pricing, sponsors and updates.

 

Christmas on Austin Street

Bogalusa Parks Recreation and Culture Commission is requesting community partners, churches, schools and other organizations to collaborate for the third annual “Christmas on Austin Street” on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. There will be free activities, festival-style games and booths. For more information, email bprcc.70427@gmail.com or call 985-295-1030.

 

The Daily News regularly publishes a “Community Calendar” of these and other events. If you see an event that should be listed and is not, email the information to justin.schuver@bogalusadailynews.com.