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Annual Events

Krewe of MCCA Mardi Gras Parade held in Bogalusa at 2:00 p.m. the Saturday before Fat Tuesday. Contact Don Spiers (985) 732-9007 March 1, 2003 (starts at Genco Amusement at Columbia and 6th Street) (Note: Largest Mardi Gras Parade outside Metropolitan New Orleans area.)

Milltown Classic 5K Walk/Run -- Hosted by Bogalusa Rotary Club; internationally- known runners competing; Registration at 7:00 a.m. Race begins at 9:00 a.m. in Cassidy Park on Willis Avenue the morning of Krewe of MCCA Parade. Contact Brad Lewis (985) 735-6115 March 1, 2003

Jeans & Queens Dogwood Square & Round Dance Festival -- Held at the ESM Methodist church in Bogalusa the first weekend in March; features 2-day workshops with national callers. Contact John Mc Kie (601) 749-8471 February 28 and March 1, 2003 @ 7:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Annual Children’s Coronation Citywide Coronation, featuring kindergarten children and for the 13th year sponsored by Annunciation Catholic School. Different theme each year with children depicting characters. Usually held the second or third Friday of April. (985) 735-6643 65th Annual - April 11, 2003

Annual Louisiana Western Festival -- Annual event held at the Bogalusa Community Arena with rodeo, special entertainment, pony rides, western vendors, Rodeo Queen Contest & western dance. Contact Robbie Thomas (985) 735-6741

Spring 2003 Great Southern RV Park Bluegrass Event -- Features bluegrass music, food, arts / crafts. Held in Angie the 3rd weekend in April & the 4th weekend in September. Contact “Chick” Boyd (985) 986-8411 April 17-19,2003 and September 25-27, 2003

Camp Fire USA Towazi Council Annual Fun Run -- This Annual fundraiser is held in April at Bogalusa’s Goodyear Park. For entry information contact Camp Fire USA Towazi Council at (985) 732-9831 April, 2003.

Rebecca Miles & Malvin Hudson Memorial Golf Tournament -- Annual golf tournament for adults held at the Bogalusa Country Club in April. This is a 1-day, 18-hole tournament to benefit the cancer society. (985-735-6546) April, 2003.

WEDF Art Show & Sale -- This annual event is held each year at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Bogalusa to showcase Washington Parish’s talented artists and their work, featuring youth and adult exhibits with works for sale. Contact WEDF (985) 735-7565, April 19, 2003.

Bogalusa’s “Festival In The Park” -- Features arts, crafts, music, children’s activities, food, commercial exhibits, stage entertainment, and carnival. Cassidy Park, in the Spring. Contact Bogalusa Chamber of Commerce (985) 735-5731 Spring 2003

Piney Woods People Exhibit -- S.L.U. Photography exhibit containing black and white photos from many, many years ago of people in the Washington Parish area. Held at the D.A. Varnado Store Museum, 936 Pearl Street. Call (985) 839-3279 March 29, 2003 – April 5, 2003 @ 10:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m.

Spring Street Fair -- Annual “Street Fair” held in Franklinton in April. Proceeds benefit the DA Varnado Store Museum. Contact Terry Seal (985) 839-3279 April 5, 2003

Camp Fire USA Towazi Council Golf Tourney -- The Annual Kathy Arlt Lyons Memorial Golf Tournament is held at the Bogalusa Country Club in May. This 18-hole golf tournament is a two- man scramble with cash prizes awarded to the top teams and eligibility to try for a $10,000 hole in one! For entry information contact Camp Fire USA Towazi Council at (985) 732-9831 May 2003

Washington Parish Dairy Progress Day -- Annual event held the first Wednesday of June. A different dairy farm is featured and hosts the dairy day each year. Contact Aubrey Posey at (985) 839-7855 for more information. June 4, 2003

Bogalusa Bash -- Annual golf tournament for adults held at and sponsored by the Bogalusa Country Club the 2nd weekend in June. This 18-hole tournament features a 3-player scramble and awards cash prizes to the top teams. (985) 735-6546 June 14 & 15, 2003

Camp Fire USA Towazi Council Day Camp -- Camp Te Ca Towazi is thirteen beautiful acres of Pine and Hardwood forest located on the Bogalusa Creek. The Day Camping program is for boys and girls entering 1st – 7th grade who like to hike, sing make things, cook out and make new friends. Day Camping sessions are held the 2nd and 3rd weeks of June. Camp Te Ca Towazi has been providing memories for children for over fifty years. For more information or to volunteer, call (985) 732-9831. 2nd and 3rd Weeks of June 2003

Bogalusa Paper Queen Ball & 4th of July Celebration -- The Paper Queen Ball and the Independence Day Parade are held to celebrate not only the birthday of our nation but also the birthday of the City of Bogalusa. The ball is held the evening before the early morning parade. Contact the American Legion Home, (985) 732-3791. July 3 & 4, 2003

Washington Parish Watermelon Festival -- Features watermelon “games”, rodeo, entertainment, arts and crafts, and food. Held the 2nd weekend in July at the Washington Parish Fairgrounds in Franklinton. Contact Henry Harrison at (985) 839-7855 July 11-13, 2003

Annual River Bend Bluegrass Festival -- Family oriented event that includes true bluegrass music and a gospel night. Held the 3rd week in July on Hwy. 16, 2 miles east of Enon. Contacts Jackie Varnado (985) 839-9728/Patsy Green (985) 839-4847 July 17-19, 2003

Tom Crawford Memorial Tourney -- Annual golf tournament for adults held at and sponsored by the Bogalusa Country Club the 1st weekend in August. This 18-hole tournament features a 2-player scramble and awards cash prizes to the top teams. (985) 735-6546) August 2-3, 2003

Washington Parish Free Fair -- Largest free fair in the US- begins with parade, and featuring top name entertainment, carnival, professional rodeo, “Old MacDonald’s Farm”, food booths, and Mile Branch Settlement (pioneer village). Held the 3rd week of October at the Washington Parish Fairgrounds in Franklinton. Call (985) 839-4125 or (985) 839-7855 October 15-18, 2003

November Fall Festival -- Held at Ben’s Ford Christian School at 59253 Mt. Pleasant Rd. in Bogalusa. Features unique crafts, delicious food, kiddie rides, fun games and a great auction at 11 a.m. Opens 10 a.m. (985) 735-0387 November 9, 2002 and November 8, 2003

Camp Fire USA-Towazi Council Auction -- This annual auction held in November with items donated by individuals and businesses helps insurer the many programs for children throughout the year. Contact Camp Fire USA Towazi Council (985) 732-9831 November or December 2002 and November, 2003

Santa’s Annual Ride -- The Chamber sponsors and organizes Santa’s annual ride through the shopping centers of Bogalusa. Held to coincide with the opening day of Christmas in the Park, starting at 3:30 p.m. Contact Bogalusa Chamber (985) 735-5731 December 6, 2002

Christmas In The Park -- An evening walking tour of Christmas decorations displayed throughout Cassidy Park in Bogalusa. Held in Dec. Drive through hours 6:00-7:00 p.m. Walk through hours are 7:00-9:00 p.m. Tram rides available 7:00-9:00 p.m. Santa arrives December 6, 2002 and available at 7:00 nightly except the 24th and 25th. Admission fees are Adults-$2, Students-$1, and $5 per car during drive through. For more information contact Billy Seal at (985) 735-7293 November 28, 29, 30,2002 and December 1, 6,7,8,and 13-25, 2002.

Mile Branch Settlement-Pioneer Christmas -- Old fashioned, heartwarming Christmas Celebration in a pioneer village of cabins that were built in the mid 1800’s and early 1900’s and naturally decorated for that period. Handmade gift items are on sale in the Johnson Cabin. Held at the Washington Parish Fairgrounds in Franklinton. Admission is $1 and children under 6 are free. Hours are Friday 12:00-6:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., and Sunday 12:00-5:00 p.m. Contact Betty Rose Hunt (985) 732-4660 November 29-December 1, 2002 and November 28-30, 2003

Christmas Festival of Trees -- Live trees, lighted and beautifully decorated, will be on display and auctioned to the public. Arts and crafts by local craftsman and artists, children visit with Santa, and live musical entertainment. Christmas tree auction held at 4:00 p.m. on Dec. 1. Held at the Washington Parish Fairgrounds in Franklinton in conjunction with Mile Branch Settlement-Pioneer Christmas. Free Admission. Hours are Friday 12:00-6:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., and Sunday 12:00-5:00 p.m. Contact Terry Seal (985) 839-3279 November 29-December 1, 2002 and November 28-30, 2003

DA Varnado Store Museum -- General Store museum in century old building located at 936 Pearl Street in Franklinton. Open last weekend of each month, Friday by appointment, Saturday 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. plus featuring varying exhibits. No Admission Charge. (985) 795-0680

Franklinton Community Theatre -- Features two Stage Productions per season. All productions are held at the Franklinton Jr. High Auditorium. Season tickets available. “The Odd Couple” will be featured at 7:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and a Matinee at 2:00 p.m. Sunday Contact Rod Sabiston (985) 848-5845 December 6-8, 2002.

Tour of Homes and Museum -- Tour beautifully Christmas decorated homes, plus featuring an art exhibit, a bake sale and live musical entertainment. Tour the Varnado Store Museum featuring “Christmas in Days Gone by”. Located in Franklinton. Admission to the museum is free and admission to the Tour of Homes is $10. Hours are 2:00-5:00 p.m. Contact Hope Bickham (985) 839-8923 or (985) 795-8999 December 8, 2002 and December 14, 2003

Souvenir Items -- The Washington Parish Tourism Commission has souvenir and informational items, brochures of other agencies, links to the La. Office of Tourism, maps, lapel pins, and history. Contact the Washington Parish Tourism Commission by phone, fax or email. Phone (985) 839-5228 Fax (985) 839-7950 Toll free 1-888-827-7118 www.washingtonparishtourism.com Email: wptour@washingtonparishtourism.com or wptour@bellsouth.net

Washington Economic Development Foundation
526 Georgia Ave.
P. O. Box 668 Bogalusa, LA
70429-0668
(985) 735-7565