fgazette.com Community news site for Union Parish Louisiana
Courtesy of the Union Parish
Chamber of Commerce
Christmas in July; who has ever heard of such a thing? In fact the Christmas in the State Park project team has already begun preparation for the 2023 extravaganza at the Lake D’arBonne State park in December. The team promises even more fun and activities for those that visit the event.
This year Christmas in the State Park has been pushed back to begin on December 9th and will terminate on December 16th. This will keep the Christmas on the Square at Farmerville and the tree lighting and the Christmas parade separate from the event. People will have a better opportunity to enjoy the wonderment of Christmas. Once again the Christmas event will have Union General Hospital as its premier sponsor but changes to the event are in the works.
We have a name change. Instead of being referred to as Christmas in the Park we have re-branded as Christmas in the State Park. Google Christmas in the Park and there will be events identified from all over the United States. Christmas in the State Park will be unique for only the event at D’arBonne. To insure consistency, the Facebook Page that we have in place will remain as is; however, future notices and information will reference the new name. A Christmas in the State Park is also under construction.
When the event began two years ago many of the exhibitors had to depend on solar lighting and generators to illuminate their exhibits. This will become a thing of the past. Claiborne Electric and the Louisiana State Parks will electrify the roadway for the commercial exhibitors. Additionally, Bethlehem Lane that is reserved for churches will have electrical power provided. Holly’s Grove, a dark area within the campground, was lit last year and the grove is expected to greatly expand the lighting of that area. Campers will be treated to three Meet and Greet afternoons of good food and fellowship.
The FEMA Celebration area will continue to expand with mini-carol concerts being held in the states new outdoor pavilion. Other entertainment is being planned for evenings of Christmas joy at the end of the lighted drive-through. Visitors can eat at the FEMA food court while wandering through craft stands and then visit the entertainment across the street. Of course Santa will be available for the children. Children can also take advantage of the State Park’s lighted children’s trail, a short distance from the entertainment.
The event which is sponsored by the Union Parish Chamber of Commerce is now taking reservations for exhibitor sites, food vendor sites and craft sites. Please call the Chamber office to reserve your site. Churches that would like to celebrate by exhibiting can call Bonnie Fields at 318-368-2710.
