Shreveport / Bossier

I was thinking about the calendar of events for Shreveport-Bossier holiday happenings. There are so many great things to feature, but I thought I would ask my 10-year-old daughter what was one of her favorite Christmas activities. Not surprisingly, she told me it was Christmas in Roseland at the Gardens of the American Rose Center.

We have been going there are as a family since she was about three years old. It seems like we always picked the coldest evening to go. But it made it feel more like Christmas. This year Christmas in Roseland will have a more limited schedule. The dates are Nov. 27-29; Dec. 4-6, 11-13, 18-20. Gates will be open from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and close at 9:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

But some of our fondest memories are wondering the park looking at the giant Christmas cards. Imagine how tall an 8-foot Christmas card must have looked to a 3-foot, 3-year-old? One of the mysteries is that all of the cards, created by school children in Caddo and Bossier Parish, have to have a rose in the design. Sometimes the roses were obvious. But many times they were not and we so enjoyed finding them.

We also enjoyed the choirs and hot cocoa, as well as all the lighted displays. There is a crawfish family display near the concession stands that amuses us every time we see it.

Even though my daughter will now be 11, Christmas in Roseland is a holiday tradition that we will definitely be back for. If you plan to visit, the rose center is located at 8877 Jefferson-Paige Road, Exit 5 off Interstate 20. It will be closed Christmas day. It costs $5 per person or $15 per vehicle. Feel free to call the rose center at 318-938-5534 or 1-800-637-6534 for more information.

Check back soon for exciting news!