Washington Parish Tourism
2011 Calendar of Events
Features Washington Parish events and those of surrounding area
January 8-30
February 5-27
- "Quilts, Old & New" exhibit, Varnado Store Museum, Franklinton
Learn more about the art of quilting by attending this exhibit and events.Featured will be vintage quilts, new quilts and all kinds of quilted items.There will be demonstrations between 1-3pm the following dates: January 15, January 22, January 29, February 5 (quilt evaluations of items brought in by the public), and February 12. Exhibits change every other month. 10-4 Sat.; 1-4 Sun.
February 5-6
February 12-13
- "West Florida Revolt" special exhibit, Varnado Store Museum, Franklinton
The Museum will host a special exhibit on loan from the Louisiana State Museum, which was also displayed during the Washington Parish Fair. If you did not get a chance to see it in October, this provides you a second opportunity to view this informative, educational exhibit regarding a unique time in parish history. The revolt lasted 74 days, from September 23 to December, 1810. The fledgling republic established its own constitution and flag, with its capital at St. Francisville and its own President, Fulwar Skipwith. The Bicentennial Celebration of this period was held from September 2009 through December 2010.The interactive, touchscreen digital exhibit is full of historical data, maps, pictures, video and audio clips. A copy of the original constitution is also on display, as is a print of an original painting commissioned for the celebration.
March 4 – 6
- Ponchatoula Antique Trade Days & Arts & Craft Fair, Ponchatoula
March 5-27
April 2-30
- “Washington Parish Families, Genealogies and Little-Known Cemeteries”, Varnado Store
Museum
Displays of photos and family trees; lists of cemeteries and discovering locations of little-
known family cemeteries in the parish. Students involved in charting their family trees and
oral history interviewing. Special display on the history of Franklinton, featuring photos and
maps of the town and costumes that were part of the 1961 centennial celebration.
Exhibits change every other month. 10-4 Sat.; 1-4 Sun
March 5
- "Bogalusa's Mardi Gras Celebration"
- Carnival Motorcycle Parade (Bikes lead off the MCCA Parade and return to viewing
area watch the parade; usually fees used to raise funds for charitable cause) 12:45pm
- Krewe of MCCA Mardi Gras Parade 1pm Bogalusa
March 6
- "Krewe of Pepe Mardi Gras parade", Franklinton
March 18 – 20
- Amite Oyster Festival, Tangipahoa Parish Fairgrounds, Amite
March 21-April 4
- Art exhibit-Past Franklinton Artists and 20 or more pieces of historical art on display at
Resource Bank 950 10th Avenue, Franklinton. A Sesquicentennial event.
March 26
April 2
- "Franklinton's Sesquicentennial Celebration"
Come help us celebrate Franklinton's milestone 150th anniversary. See web page for more
www.townoffranklinton.com .
- Kickoff Parade, Saturday at 10am. Decorated floats and historically costumed riders
- Opening ceremonies, WP Courthouse Square will follow. Old-fashioned Children's games,
story-telling, cake walk,scavenger hunt, vendors, etc are planned. Displays and exhibits
will be located in the Washington Parish Library and Franklinton Town Hall. Students
research papers and genealogy projects will be included. The Varnado Museum exhibit
ties into this theme,as well. Historical booklets and cookbooks, souvenirs and
commemorative items will be available.
- Finale will include a 5K run/walk at the Fairgrounds in the morning. "Old-Timers"Baseball
game, Franklinton High School baseball field, also in the morning.Food booths open on the
Fairgrounds, 4-8pm. Music on the WP Fair stage. Mile Branch will be open. Fireworks will
close out the week-long celebration.
March 26
- Washington Parish Art Association Show and Sale
Cap off the opening day of Franklinton's Sesquicentennial celebration with a visit to the
Art Association's Annual Show and Sale.Just outside of town (follow signs;Studio will be
marked) off Hwy 25N toward Tylertown, Ann Crawford's Studio, 4-8pm.
A Sesquicentennial event.
March 30
- Art Show, former art students from Bowling Green and Franklinton High schools. Centenary
Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, Cleveland & Pearl Streets, Franklinton. 9-11am.
A Sesquicentennial event.
April 1-3
- "Camp & Jam Music Fest", Silver Creek Campground. Mt.Hermon.
Country/Blues/Swamp Pop/Southern Rock
April 2-3
- Picayune Street Fair, Picayune, MS
April 8-10
- BOGALUSA CHAMBER’S 23nd Annual “FESTIVAL IN THE PARK” IN CASSIDY PARK, Bogalusa
ARTISTS, CRAFTERS, COMMERCIAL, NON-PROFIT AND FOOD BOOTHS featuring pottery,
quilts, wooden items and furniture, cast iron, glassware, jewelry, clothing, iron crosses,
fleur-de-lis items, paintings, swords and more!
- Festival in the Park's "Sing-Off": amateurs and professionals are welcome to show off their
singing talents in this fun-filled competition. Prizes will be awarded. Saturday, April 9=Round
1 with eliminations; Sunday, April 10=Round 2, Finals. Visitors and Fest goers welcome.
Come out to support your favorite.
April 8-10
- Strawberry Festival, Ponchatoula
April 14-16
- Great Southern Spring Bluegrass Festival, Angie
April 30
- All-day Gospel concert, a Washington Parish Fair 2011 Centennial event, Franklinton
One of several celebratory events throughout the 100th year of the Washington Parish Fair
Fairgrounds stage, 10am - 8pm.
May 6-7
- Annual IHC Louisiana Chapter #31 Antique Tractor, Engine and Truck State Show,
Franklinton
May 6-7
- Sheridan Rayburn Memorial Tri State Rodeo, Bogalusa
TSRA Rodeo event, Bogalusa Community Arena TNT RODEO COMPANY. Internationally
known rodeo clown, Rudy Burns will delight audiences.
May 7-29
June 4-26
- “Our Tribute to the Military, All Branches, All Wars”, Varnado Store Museum, Franklinton.
Uniforms, weapons, photos and scrapbooks-all kinds of military items from the Museum's
extensive collection,as well as those loaned by local veterans and their families. Exhibits
change every other month. 10-4 Sat.; 1-4 Sun
May 27-30
- Annual Memorial Day ATV Rodeo and Mud Bog, Silver Creek campground, Mt.Hermon
June 1
- U-Pick blueberry farms open across parish
June 1
- Washington Parish Dairy Progress Day
June 4
- Dairy Festival, Tylertown, MS
June 11
- Blueberry Jubilee, Poplarville, MS 7am-6pm
- PCA Rodeo, Friday & Saturday, June 10-11, 7:30 each night
June 17-18
- Annual Redneck/Cajun Olympics, Silver Creek campground, Mt.Hermon
Crawfish/Pigs feet Bobbing/Toilet Race/Lawn Mower Race/Entertainment
July 1
- Paper Queen Ball, Bogalusa
July 4
- Old-fashioned Independence Day festivities, Bogalusa’s Birthday, Bogalusa
July 15-16
- Magnolia State Bluegrass Association Summer Show, Angie, LA
July 29-30
- SCC’s 9th Anniversary & Woman-less Beauty Pageant, Silver Creek campground, Mt.Hermon
Entertainment/Cake & Ice Cream/ "Queen's Basket"
September 2-5
- Labor Day ATV Rodeo & Mud Bog, Silver Creek campground, Mt.Hermon
September 22-24
- Great Southern Fall Bluegrass Festival, Angie
October 15
- 1st Annual Bogue Chitto Adventure Race, Franklinton
9am, Saturday Bogue Chitto State Park
Event takes place within the park, and includes trial ride (mountain bike), paddling on river,
and hiking/running on park trails. www.GulfCoastAdventure.com
October 15-16
- Old Farmers Day and Horse and Mule Pulling contest, Loranger
October 19-22
- Washington Parish Free Fair, Franklinton
Celebrate with us as we present our Centennial Fair, 100 years old, 1911-2011
www.freefair.com
November 5
- 15-Mile Yard Sale, east of Amite, Hwy 16 area
November 5-6
- Picayune Street Fair, Picayune, MS
November 19-20
- Camp Moore Annual Civil War Living History Encampment, Tangipahoa
November 24 – December 25
- Christmas in the Park, Cassidy Park, Bogalusa
November 24-27; December 2-4; December 9-11; Opens nightly December 16-25
Pioneer Museum and Native American Museum in Cassidy Park open during event hours,
also.
November 25-27
- Red Barn Mall Annual Christmas Open House, Franklinton (Clifton community)
December 3
- Downtown Development Parade of Lights, Bogalusa
Lighted night parade. After dark Saturday evening.
December 3
- "Christmas Around Town Square", Washington Parish Courthouse Square, Franklinton.
December 3-4
- Mile Branch Pioneer Christmas, Washington Parish Fairgrounds, Franklinton
Milestone Dates to Remember
- Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial 1803-2003 209 years
- West Florida Republic Bicentennial 1810-2010 201 years
- Franklinton Sesquicentennial 1861-2011 150 years
- Washington Parish Fair Centennial 1911-2011 100 years
- Civil War Sesquicentennial (Began) 1861-2011 150 years
- Louisiana Statehood Bicentennial 1812-2012 200 years
- Bogalusa’s Centennial 1914-2014 (Incorporation) (Founded 1906) 100 years