Christmas on the "Silver Water"

If you are new to the area, get ready. You have not experienced Christmas until you have spent your holiday season on the land of the “Silver Water.”

Located in the Ouachita River Valley in Northeast Louisiana, it was first explored by Hernando de Soto in 1542. The first organized government was formed in 1783. Ouachita Parish was established in 1807. The Choctaw Tribe meaning of Ouachita is “Silver Water.”

Our Christmas Traditions are connected to the Ouachita River “Silver Water.”

There is no official Christmas memo on when the celebrations begin. It can be triggered by a number of things. Sometimes it’s the first strong cold front. Or the radio starts playing Christmas music 24/7. If someone puts up their Christmas tree early. If city employees are spotted putting up Christmas decorations, that can do it.

If the celebrations haven’t begun by the time the Christmas Parade and Fireworks schedule is announced, consider this the Christmas Celebration memo. But when it starts, its ‘Whoville” until January.

More than fifty years ago the Howard Griffin Family opened a boat and toy store on the Monroe riverfront. People would travel from miles around to buy toys and Christmas tree decorations. This community minded business forever connected our Christmas Holidays traditions to the Ouachita River.

Downtown West Monroe and Monroe are decked out in Christmas décor, accented with holiday paintings from our local artists. People are scurrying around, shopping, dining, attending Christmas parties and Christmas plays at church and school. Candy cane Lane is always a favorite. There is so much to do.

In early December we go into “snap count.” Movies every weekend downtown. The Elf and the Grinch cannot be missed. The Cameron Diaz movie “The Holiday,” doesn’t play downtown but should be on your list.

The true meaning of Christmas is never lost in the land of the Silver Water. It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

Monroe City Hall 2021

Tom M.