Christmas in Roseland Opens for the 2013 Season This Week

Christmas in Roseland celebrates its 30th birthday when it kicks off for the 2013 season this week.  Each holiday season, the Gardens of the American Rose Center, located at 8877 Jefferson Paige Road in Shreveport, are transformed into a Christmas wonderland. 

It features thousands of twinkling lights, dozens of lighted displays, giant "Christmas Cards to the Community," nightly live entertainment, photos with Santa, rised on the Roseland Express Train and more.

Chris Jay with the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau says this is something most of us mark our year by.  "When you live near, or in, Shreveport-Bossier, that's a part of your holiday tradition, going out to Christmas in Roseland," he says.  "It's a local holiday staple."

New for 2013 is a juried art show, featuring the work of local art students.  It's being displayed in the Klima Education and Visitor Center on the grounds of the Gardens.  Jay says there's also an extensive list of entertainers.  "You're looking at these evening performances by bell choirs and church choirs, performers and storytellers to entertain the kids," Jay says.  "It's just got a charm that you can't reproduce."

Tickets to ride the Roseland Express are $5, and photos with Santa cost $10 per photo.  He's available for pictures from 6 to 9 each night.  Remember that this is a walking event only -- carts are not available.

The event opens to the public Friday, November 29th, and runs through Sunday, December 22nd.  Hours are 5:30 until 10 p.m. each Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with the final car being admitted at 9:30.  Admission is $5 per person, or $20 per carload, with special group rates available for minibus and charter bus groups.