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
