Varnado Store Museum in Franklinton

CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR THE VARNADO STORE MUSEUM, FRANKLINTON LA 
(Changing monthly exhibits held the last weekend of each month, Saturdays all day, Sunday afternoons, Fridays by appointment only. Exception, "Piney Woods People" - a week long exhibit with Street Fair. ADMISSION FREE

Saturday July 26 10 - 4 
Sunday July 27 1 - 4

Washington Parish Free Fair - "The World's Largest Free Fair!!"

Held annually, Wednesday - Saturday the third week in October at the Washington 
Parish Fairgrounds in Franklinton, LA.    This year the Fair will be held October 
15 - October 18, 2003.  Activities and attractions include numerous exhibits, PRCA rodeo, 
continuous stage entertainment featuring nationally known performers, a huge carnival midway, 
petting zoo, the Historic Mile Branch Settlement, and lots of food. For more information 
call the Franklinton Chamber of Commerce at 1-985-839-5822. 

 www. freefair.com

FESTIVAL OF TREES BY VARNADO STORE MUSEUM  (AT THE SAME TIME AS PIONEER CHRISTMAS AT MILE BRANCH SETTLEMENT)

WHERE:  WASHINGTON PARISH FAIRGROUNDS
  FRANKLINTON, WASHINGTON PARISH, LOUISIANA

COST:   FREE ADMISSION TO FESTIVAL OF TREES 
      SMALL ADMISSION FEE TO PIONEER CHRISTMAS
 

Thanksgiving weekend offers two wonderful events in the small town of Franklinton, Parish seat of Washington Parish.  Both events are held in the piney woods of the Washington Parish Fairgrounds and promise a delightful and memorable family outing.  The Festival of Trees is sponsored by the Varnado Store Museum, which recently hosted a WWII Smithsonian exhibit, and whose mission is to preserve local heritage.  The Pioneer Christmas is sponsored by the Mile Branch Settlement, an authentic 19th century pioneer village located on the Washington Parish Fairgrounds.  Both organizations and both events are provided by dedicated volunteers of all ages from area communities.

The annual Festival of Trees is sure to give the visitor the Christmas spirit as he or she enjoys the sparkling lights and many beautifully decorated trees, hears local musicians and school groups provide Christmas music,  and watches delighted children get their pictures taken with Santa Claus.  Local craftsmen will have items for sale in booths, and delicious food and soft drinks are available.  The tree festival, music, and crafts booths are all indoors, so weather never hampers the gala.  Craftsmen are invited to rent a booth to display their wares.  (see attached contact information to reserve a booth)

A true Christmas spirit abounds as local civic groups, school groups, and individuals combine their talents to decorate trees and donate them to the museum, to be auctioned off on Sunday afternoon.  Proceeds go solely to the operation of the museum and its educational programs.  The trees are then delivered, fully decorated and lighted, to the highest bidders.  Businesses, hospitals, individuals, or offices can enjoy a beautifully decorated and lighted tree, delivered to the door, with the work already done.  At the same time they can help preserve the history of the parish and educational programs by participating in the exciting Sunday afternoon auction.

One special tree, decorated by Museum volunteers, will be raffled off for $1.00 a chance.  It also will be delivered to the winner.  Visitors can also vote on their favorite tree.  Visitors of all ages are sure to enjoy this festive event.  All individuals and businesses are invited to the Sunday afternoon auction at 4:00 p.m.
 

Pioneer Christmas:  The Festival of Trees is located across the street from the 19th century log cabin village, Mile Branch Settlement, in the Washington Parish Fairgrounds.  The cabins were originally built by early pioneers in the parish and then moved to their present location.  Nestled by a creek in the piney woods, the settlement offers music events, from blue grass to country, Easter services, educational tours, and more throughout the year.   Several cabins are on the National Register of Historic Places.  They include homes, smokehouses, barns, post office, school buildings, a church, a corn crib, and more. 

During the annual Pioneer Christmas, as during the Washington Parish Fair, the cabins are manned by men, women, and children in full costume and are open for tours.  At this time the visitor will see the cabins at their best, decorated for Christmas with old-time natural decorations.  Fires will be blazing in the fireplaces and Christmas smells and music will fill the air.  It’s a wonderful opportunity to leisurely step back in time, at Christmastime.  Food and hand made items will be on sale.  All proceeds go to the operation of the historic settlement and its year-round activities.  The hours are the same as the Festival of Trees.

CONTACT:     FESTIVAL OF TREES       phone:   985-839-3279
   Web:  varnadostoremuseum.org          fax: 985-795-0480
   Email:   varnadostoremuseum@yahoo.com
   P.O. Box 184, Franklinton, LA  70438

  PIONEER CHRISTMAS - MILE BRANCH SETTLEMENT 
   Phone:  985-732-4660           web:  freefair.com
       985-848-2957

March and April, 1996, a group of genealogists organized the Kentucky Comprehensive Genealogy Database.  The idea was to provide a single entry point for all counties in Kentucky, where collected databases would be stored. In addition, the databases would be indexed and cross-linked, so that even if an individual were found in more than one county, they could be located in the index. 

At the same time, volunteers were found who were willing to coordinate the collection of databases and generally oversee the contents of the web page. The Louisiana USGenWeb Project is an extension of the KY GenWeb Project.

Hosted by theusgenweb.org

Part of the LAGenWeb Project
Edward J. Hayden Jr. State Coordinator
Annette Womack Assistant State Coordinator