Children of all ages throughout LaSalle Parish have been busy during the first full week of December as they prepare for Christmas.
Throughout the parish, houses are decorated inside and out, LaSalle’s four towns are brightened with decorations and Christmas events are being held from schools to church- es to public squares as the countdown to Christmas Day is underway.
This weekend, the biggest celebrations of them all will take place as the Jena and Olla nighttime Christmas Parades will roll through each town.
The annual Jena Christmas Parade has been rescheduled due to the Jena Giants’ state championship game set for Friday. The Jena parade will now be held next Friday, December 19. It will begin at 6 p.m. from east to west on US 84 through downtown Jena.
This Saturday, December 13, the annual Olla Nighttime Christmas Parade will begin at 6 p.m. and will travel from north to south on Front Street (LA 125).
Parade organizers are expecting many floats and marching units involved in the parades with Santa Claus being the main attraction in each parade.
This Saturday, December 13, will also be the LaSalle Ministerial Alliance’s annual Angel Tree Christmas event at the old Jena Elementa-ry complex, where Christmas presents and food will be distributed to many LaSalle Parish families.
Many children attended the La-Salle Parish Library’s Cookies with Santa event held last Thursday and Friday, December 4 and 5. Along with visiting with Santa Claus, the children enjoyed cookies and drinks, participated in story time and also constructed a craft.
Tomorrow night, December 11, the Town of Urania’s annual Christof mas in the Square event will take place beginning at 5 p.m., where Santa will be on hand to visit with children. There will also be live music and a free photo booth.
Another Cookies with Santa event will take place this Saturday, December 13 in Olla at the Centennial Cultural Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Parish residents can also find many places in the area to view beautifully decorated homes, some which are flashing in sync to Christmas music.
The annual Christmasville, located just north of Jena on LA 459 (Aimwell Road) is in full operation, featuring a drive-thru Christmas lighting features.
Residents might also be interested in stopping by Ace Family Hardware in Jena to view their light show. Most of the Christmas light shows operate after sunset each day.
The four towns of LaSalle Parish have also hosted senior citizen Christmas dinners in the past week, with Urania and Tullos hosting theirs on December 4, Jena on December 5 and Tullos on December 9. Photos from all of those events will be featured in this newspapers annual Christmas edition set for next week, December 17. Also in that issue will be Letters to Santa Claus along with Christmas greetings from many parish businesses.
Many more events, including school Christmas parties, are set for this month and a long list of church Christmas productions that will take place this month. Check out the Community Events page for more information.
