Every Sunday in October

Gates open at 9:00 AM and Rodeo starts at 2:00 PM

  2012 Audubon Pilgrimage St. Francisville,  LA

The forty-first annual Audubon Pilgrimage March 16, 17 and 18, 2012, celebrates a southern spring in St. Francisville, the glorious garden spot of Louisiana’s English Plantation Country. For over four decades the sponsoring West Feliciana Historical Society has thrown open the doors of significant historic structures to commemorate  artist-naturalist John James Audubon’s stay as he painted a number of his famous bird folios, and 2012, being the 200^th anniversary of Louisiana statehood, promises to be a spectacular tour.

Features of the 2012 Audubon Pilgrimage include two  historic townhouses, Hillcroft and Prospect, and in the surrounding countryside two early 19^th-century plantations: Highland and Woodland, plus Afton Villa Gardens and Rosedown and Audubon State Historic Sites, three 19^th-century churches and the Rural Homestead with lively demonstrations of the rustic skills of daily pioneer life. The fascinating Smithsonian Institution exhibit Journey Stories, examining who we are and how we got here, fills the Historical Society museum, and two other historic buildings downtown hold the popular antiques show and sale. Tour hostesses are clad in the exquisitely detailed costumes of the 1820’s, nationally recognized for their authenticity.

The National Register-listed historic district around Royal Street is filled during the day with the happy sounds of costumed children singing and dancing the Maypole; in the evening as candles flicker and fireflies flit among the ancient moss-draped live oaks, there is no place more inviting for a leisurely stroll. Friday evening features old-time Hymn Singing at the United Methodist Church, Graveyard Tours at Grace Episcopal cemetery, and a wine and cheese reception featuring a style show of glorious period costumes at Bishop Jackson Hall. Light Up The Night Saturday evening features live music and dancing, dinner and drinks.

For tickets and tour information, contact West Feliciana Historical Society, Box 338, St. Francisville, LA 70775; phone 225-635-6330 or 225-635-4224; online www.audubonpilgrimage.info, email sf@audubonpilgrimage.info. For information on St. Francisville overnight accommodations, shops, restaurants, and recreation in the Tunica Hills, see www.stfrancisville.us or www.stfrancisville.net.

The forty-first annual Audubon Pilgrimage March 16, 17 and 18, 2012, celebrates a southern spring in St. Francisville, the glorious garden spot of Louisiana’s English Plantation Country. For over four decades the sponsoring West Feliciana Historical Society has thrown open the doors of significant historic structures to

February 25, 2012 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

This event recognizes outstanding regional authors and provides a forum for discussion of their work.

December 2, 3, 2011

EVERYBODY LOVES A PARADE -- CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY IN ST. FRANCISVILLE, LA

by Anne Butler

Nothing says Christmas to an excited child more than a parade, especially a safe small-town one like St. Francisville’s popular Christmas in the Country parade the first Saturday each December, complete with marching bands and decorated floats, Santa resplendent in his sleigh.

Christmas in St. Francisville, historically the commercial center of surrounding English Louisiana cotton plantations has always been a magical time. In the 19th century, country folks from miles around would pile into wagons to do their weekly shopping in the little town’s dry-goods emporiums that offered everything from buggies to coffins, gents’ fine furnishings and ladies’ millinery. And at Christmas time, tiny tots would press their noses against frosted storefront windows to gaze with wistful longing at elegant china dolls and wooden rocking horses.

It’s still that way today, and the historic little rivertown’s Christmas in the Country celebration on December 2, 3, 2011 pays tribute to its heritage and showcases its continuing vitality as the center of culture and commerce for the entire surrounding region.

Millions of tiny white lights trace soaring Victorian trimwork and grace gallery posts to transform the entire town into a veritable winter wonderland for Christmas in the Country, as special activities throughout the extensive National Register-listed downtown Historic District provide fun for the whole family at this celebration of the season, a joyful alternative to mall madness.

For visitor information, call Feliciana Tourist Commission at 225-635-4224; online visit www.stfrancisville.us (the events calendar gives dates and information on special activities, including the lively monthly third Saturday morning Community Market Day in Parker Park) or www.stfrancisvillefestivals.com.

June 8, 9, 10, 2012
Grace Episcopal Church & Cemetary

This event commemorates the brief moment of brotherhood given for the burial of a Union officer, Lt. Commander John E. Hart, by his brother Masons that stopped a bloody war, if only for a few mournful moments.

July 27, 28, 2012

This event starts with a wine & cheese social at Rosedown Plantation. Saturday there will be biologist at two private gardens banding hummingbirds.

 n Saturday, August 25, 2012 beginning at 5 PM, shop, eat and unwind with music, art and refreshments. The St. Francisville Downtown Merchants will again host White Linen Night and each of the participating shops will be open until 9 PM, while participating restaurants will offer a taste from their menus. Music will be playing up and down Ferdinand Street while artists demonstrate their talents. There will be book signings and much more! For more information, visit www.stfrancisvillefestivals.com.

The 24th Annual Southern Garden Symposium & Workshops
October 12, 13, 2012-  Workshops on gardening, seminars, social events....

Feliciana Master Gardeners presents the 2012 St. Francisville Spring Stroll on Saturday, March 31, 2012 from 9:30 am until 4 pm. The tour provides a wonderful opportunity to visit beautiful and unique private and public gardens in the parish. Master Gardeners will be on hand at all the private gardens to provide information. Tickets are $15 for the day and will be available at the St. Francisville Town Hall the day of the tour beginning at 8:30 am and from the West Feliciana AgCenter in advance.  For more information call the 225-635-3614.

October 26, 27 and 31st, 2012

Experience the tru meaning of Halloween at America's mos Haunted House