General
Holiday Magic DownTown
AlexanderFultonMiniPark, 5p.m. Sponsored by the City ofAlexandriaDivision of Community Services. Annual lighting of the downtown Christmas tree, community caroling, school choirs and a visit from Santa! Cost: admission free. Call: 449-5051.
Holiday Art Camp
BoltonAvenueCommunity Center, 9a.m.-Noon. Sponsored by City ofAlexandriaDivision of Community Services. Art camp for children ages 5-12. Cost: admission free. Call Krystal Wimbley: 449-5108.
TBIPAC Fall BBQ Throw Down & Trade Days
Paragon Casino RV Resort, 8a.m.-5p.m. Sponsored by TBIPAC. IBCA BBQ Contest: ribs, brisket, chicken, sauce, margaritas, soup/gumbo and anything over rice. Trade Days booth: $50. Cost: admission free. Call Amy Sampson: 240-6414.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Alexandria Mall Food Court, 9:30a.m. Share breakfast with a cast of costumed characters as Alexandria Mall welcomes the arrival of Santa in grand holiday style. Treats and goody bags for children 12 and younger. Cost: $2 for breakfast with proceeds benefitting the Salvation Army. Call Missy McKnight: 448-0227 ext. 0.
MDA’s Cenla Muscle Walk
Louisiana Athletic Club, 9:30-11:30a.m. Sponsored by Muscular Dystrophy Association. The walk is family-oriented and anyone can join, including children, adults, grandparents, students, corporate teams and more. Held to pay tribute and raise funds for children and adults served by MDA. Cost: admission free, but fundraising goal is $74 per person on a team. Call Christina Griffin: 388-3252.
A Merry Cenla Christmas Festival
Rapides Parish Coliseum Exhibition Hall, Sat. 10a.m.-5p.m., Sun. 11a.m.-4p.m. Sponsored by The Red River Arts & Crafts Guild. Partners with the Food Bank. Gratefully accepting all donations of canned food items or cash. Cost: admission free. Call Donna Fontenot: 443-1785
Sugar Day Festival
Kent Plantation House, 9a.m.-5p.m. Come out and enjoy arts and crafts vendors, children’s activities, demonstrations of life in the 1800’s, live music and much more. There will be complimentary tours of the house and food available for purchase. Cost: $5 general, children 6 and younger free. Call: 487-5998.
LifeShare 24 Hour Blood Drive
2051 North Mall Drive, Noon-Noon. Sponsored by LifeShare Blood Centers. 24 hour event complete with prizes and give-a-ways for donors. The need for blood never sleeps and during this event, neither do we! Cost: admission free. Call Lisa Hickman: 445-7439
LSUA Foundation Scholarship Gala
AlexandriaRiverfrontCenter, 6:30p.m. Sponsored by LSUA Foundation. This 3rd annual event raises money for the Scholarship Program for deserving students at LSUA. The black tie affair will include dinner, cocktails, speaker John Barry, author of Rising Tide and the big band sounds of Bulletproof Brass Band fromDallas,TX. Cost: $100 per person or table sponsorships available. Call: Melinda F. Anderson: 619-2916.