Experience Gameday in Ruston

Written by Tori Ward, Marketing/PR Assistant

If you’re a fan of small college towns where football takes over the entire weekend, then Ruston, La. is the place for you! Here in Ruston, gameday festivities last all weekend long, with events for the entire family. The City of Ruston, the Ruston Lincoln CVB, and the Louisiana Tech Alumni Association have partnered together to bring fans and visitors a weekend-long gameday experience called Loyal Blue Weekends.

LA Tech Cheerleaders performing during Rock the Railroad
Photo credit: Buie Photography

Loyal Blue Weekends take place every home-game weekend and feature family activities, spirit groups, live music, and more football fun. This is the perfect event for the out-of-town visitor who doesn’t have a set gameday plan, but wants to get out and have the Louisiana Tech Football gameday experience.

Loyal Blue Weekends kick off on Friday night in Downtown Ruston, where all football fans and visitors are invited to come out and Rock the Railroad. Starting at 5:30pm in Railroad Park, families can come out and take part in kids’ activities, including inflatables, face painting, and more. At 6pm Champ and the LA Tech spirit groups get the crowd pumped up with some fun and interactive performances. 

Enjoying kids activities at Rock the Railroad
Photo credit: Buie Photography

Stick around after these activities for some great live music from 6:30-8:30pm. This is also the perfect time to visit downtown shops and grab a bite to eat at one of the local restaurants in Downtown Ruston. The fun doesn’t stop there! Everyone is invited to come watch a movie in the Quad on LA Tech’s campus after the band wraps up at 8:30pm.

Did we mention that all of these activities and events are totally free and open to the public!?

Grab some cotton candy from the Social Bites cotton candy cart while you're downtown
Photo credit: Buie Photography

The festivities continue on Saturday, as fans and visitors are encouraged to shop and eat in downtown before the game. Avoid game day traffic and the hassle of stadium parking by leaving your vehicle downtown and catching the Tech Trolley at Railroad Park, which transports fans to and from the stadium free of charge. The trolley will run continuously 2 hours prior to kickoff, giving fans plenty of time to tailgate, and 1 hour after the game.

Don’t have a designated tailgate spot, but still want the tailgating experience? Bulldog Village, located at the bottom of the Thomas Assembly Center steps, offers live music, inflatables, a photobooth, interactive X-box play station and other games, a cell phone charging station, the Barnes and Nobles Bookstore, and much more! Everyone is welcome to come enjoy these free pre-game activities.

Come join us in Downtown Ruston for a fun Gameday experience!
Photo Credit: Buie Photography

We invite you to visit us this fall in Ruston to enjoy a weekend packed with football fun and small town charm. Whether you’re traveling alone, with friends, or with your family, Ruston has a gameday experience waiting for you; all you have to do is show up!

Tori is a proud Louisiana native and social media nerd. She has a passion for travel, food, and all things related to tourism promotions. Tori is an avid movie watcher, coffee fanatic, and lover of the outdoors. Still want to know more? Head over to her website. 

Locals Love It: Chartreuse Pear

Written By Tori Ward, Marketing/PR Assistant
In this "Locals Love It" blog we're spotlighting a local shop known for its uniqueness and charm. Chartreuse Pear is a quaint store tucked away in Downtown Ruston that offers a little bit of everything! See why locals just can't get enough of this Ruston favorite. 

Locals Love the Cozy Atmosphere
" I feel like I walk into a friend's home when I'm there! " - Tracy A. 

Chartreuse Pear has an undeniably cozy and charming atmosphere. Entering the store requires taking a walk down an adorable, whimsical carriageway complete with chairs, benches, and twinkly lights. Locals love to sit and relax in the carriageway when the weather is nice! Inside, the store offers the quaintness and charm that you hope to get from a small-town shop; however, the eclectic décor and assortment of gorgeous products sets it apart from a typical boutique shop. 

Chartreuse Pear in Downtown Ruston

Locals Love the Unique Merchandise
"This shop brings so much to Ruston that you can't find anywhere nearby." - Sharon S. 

Chartreuse Pear offers an assortment of products ranging from home décor, antiques and bedding to bath products, jewelry and stationary. This beautiful shop carriers select brands that can't be found anywhere else in the area. Whether you're looking for a gift or something fun for yourself, you'll find it at Chartreuse Pear!  

Jewelry available at Chartreuse Pear

Locals Love the Personable Staff
"Brenda & Travis are over the top in service & sweetness and always help others!" - MK H. 

Chartreuse Pear is locally owned by mother-son duo Brenda and Travis. These two not only stock the store with the most beautiful and unique items, but they also provide incredible customer service to everyone who walks through the door. They know most local customers by name and are extremely easy to strike up a conversation with. The entire staff are experts at providing suggestions and even help overwhelmed husbands pick out the perfect gifts for their wives. 

Owner Travis embraces a customer at Chartreuse Pear
Photo via facebook.com/chartreusepear 

Next time you're in Downtown Ruston, be sure to pay Chartreuse Pear a visit. You'll be happy you did! 

Tori is a proud Louisiana native and social media nerd. She has a passion for travel, food, and all things related to tourism promotions. Tori is an avid movie watcher, coffee fanatic, and lover of the outdoors. Still want to know more? Head over to her website. 

Fall Events Happening in Ruston

Written by Tori Ward, CVB Marketing/PR Assistant

Fall has arrived, which means some of Ruston’s most popular events of the year are on the horizon! There’s a full calendar of events this fall ranging from theatre performances to beer tasting to fashion events and more. We’re confident you’ll find an event that’s right up your alley happening this season in Ruston.

Are you a fan of fall fashion? If so, Ruston Fashion Week is the event for you. The week of October 10-15 will consist of various fashion-focused events hosted by stores all around Ruston. Fashion Week is more than just clothing; it will showcase all that Ruston’s retail community has to offer. To see participating stores and Fashion Week event updates, check out their Facebook page. 

Ruston Fashion Week 2016, Oct. 10-15

If theatre or film are your thing, then you’ll have some great events to attend this fall in Ruston! NCLAC will be presenting Donald Cried on October 3 and NUTS! on November 17 at the Dixie Center for the Arts. These films are part of the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers happening in Ruston. Also at The Dixie, join Ruston Community Theatre as they present the comedy You Can’t Take It With You on October 13-16. You also won’t want to miss Tartuffe performed by the Louisiana Tech University School of Performing Arts on November 1-6.

For all the football fans out there, we have several college football games and pre-game events coming up in Lincoln Parish. Loyal Blue Weekends take place every LA Tech Football home-game weekend and feature family activities, spirit groups, live music, and more football fun on every Friday night before Saturday home games. Fans are also welcome to leave their vehicle downtown on gameday and catch the Tech Trolley at Railroad Park, which transports fans to and from the stadium free of charge. The dates for the remaining LA Tech Football home games are: October 1, 6, 29, and November 12. You can also catch more college football right down the road in Grambling, La., where the Tigers will have their Homecoming Game on October 29.

Loyal Blue Weekends kick off  with Rock the Railroad in Downtown Ruston

If you love supporting the local arts, then the Ruston Makers Fair and ARToberfest will be right up your alley. The Fall 2016 Ruston Makers Fair will be held on October 8 at the Historic Fire Station in Downtown Ruston, where attendees can look forward fun games, live music, food trucks, and handmade items available for sale from more than 70 of the most talented makers, artisans and artist in the area. ARToberfest is an annual NCLAC fundraising event where area home brewers compete for the best brew while attendees sample their beers. Come enjoy live music, food trucks and other fun activities while supporting the arts on October 21 at the Norton Building in downtown.  

Find local, handmade items at the Ruston Makers Fair

We hope you’ll take the time to experience some of these exciting events happening this season in Ruston, La.! For more information on these and other events, visit experienceruston.com.

Here’s a quick look at all the upcoming Ruston events:

Sept. 30- Oct. 1: Loyal Blue Weekend (LA Tech Football vs. UTEP)

Oct. 1: Ruston Farmers Market Fall Season Starts

Oct. 3: Donald Cried

Oct. 6: LA Tech Football vs. Western Kentucky

Oct. 7-9: Big Creek Trade Days

Oct. 8: Ruston Makers Fair

Oct. 10-15: Ruston Fashion Week

Oct. 13-16: You Can’t Take It With You

Oct. 20: Wes Walker Live in Concert 
Oct. 21: ARToberfest

Oct. 28-29: Loyal Blue Weekend (LA Tech Football vs. Rice)

Oct. 29: GSU Football vs. University of Arkansas Pine Bluff (Homecoming Game)

Nov. 1-6: Tartuffe

Nov. 4: Frankie Ballard Live in Concert 
Nov. 5: Happy Holiday Market

Nov. 11-13: Big Creek Trade Days

Nov. 11-12: Loyal Blue Weekend (Homecoming Game- LA Tech Football vs. UTSA)

Nov. 17: NUTS!

Tori is a proud Louisiana native and social media nerd. She has a passion for travel, food, and all things related to tourism promotions. Tori is an avid movie watcher, coffee fanatic, and lover of the outdoors. Still want to know more? Head over to her website. 

30 Things to Do in Ruston Before You Graduate

By Tori Ward, CVB Marketing/PR Assistant 

Ruston is first and foremost a college town, where students spend some of the best and most exciting years of their lives. College is a time to explore, try new things, and make memories. With this in mind, we're challenging students to get out of their dorms and experience these 30 things in Ruston before they graduate!

1. Visit the Mitcham Farms Peach Orchard 

2. Eat a Dawg House burger

3. Dance the night away at Mardi Gras Ball  

4. Visit the 3 local museums in Lincoln Parish

5. Explore Lincoln Parish Park

Watch the sun set on one of the many piers at Lincoln Parish Park

6. Enjoy a meal on the Sundown patio

7. Go see a Ruston Community Theatre show at The Dixie

8. Load up on freebies at the Ruston Visitors Center 

9. Attend the Annual John Simoneaux Memorial Jam in the spring

10. Eat crawfish at Ponchatoulas 

Crawfish from Ponchatoulas in Downtown Ruston

11. Go to the Louisiana Peach Festival

12. Spend an afternoon shopping in Downtown Ruston

13. Eat lunch at Rosemary's Kitchen

14. Watch the Temple Baptist Church 4th of July Fireworks

15. Go to a concert at the Revelry of Ruston

Travis Tritt live in concert at The Revelry of Ruston

16. Have a date night at RAW

17. Take part in Loyal Blue Weekend

18. Play a game of Frisbee Golf in Hideaway Park 

19. Try the coffee & beignets at Parish Press

20. Go to the Ruston Makers Fair

Local vendors screen printing t-shirts at the Ruston Makers Fair

21. Eat a Scatterload Sandwich at Brister's Smokehouse 

22. Shop the Ruston Farmers Market

23. Watch a parade go through Ruston

24. Go to Little Pizzoli's for "Meatball Monday”

25. Attend a Ruston Fashion Week event

Fashion show put on by The Fashion during Ruston Fashion Week

26. Visit Grambling State University  

27. Eat Sunday Brunch at Beau Vines

28. Attend a NCLAC event 

29. Enjoy Eskamoes' frozen custard by the fire pit in North Village Plaza

30. Participate in a holiday event/activity

See a RCT Christmas play at The Dixie 

While we made this list with students in mind, we also challenge visitors and locals to experience these 30 things that Ruston has to offer! Be sure to document and share your experiences in Ruston using the hashtag #RustonLA. Did we leave something off the list? Let us know in the comments below!

Tori is a proud Louisiana native and social media nerd. She has a passion for travel, food, and all things related to tourism promotions. Tori is an avid movie watcher, coffee fanatic, and lover of the outdoors. Still want to know more? Head over to her website.  

Independent Films in Ruston

By Tori Ward, Marketing/PR Assistant

September seems to be the month of films in Ruston, La. There are three different film events taking place in Ruston over the next few weeks, including an indie film series, a touring film festival, and a showing of several short films by a local filmmaker. Read more about each of these incredible film events below. 

Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers

September 15: Agents of Change

Image via agentsofchangefilm.com

7pm | Dixie Center for the Arts

Agents of Change will be the first film to kick off NCLAC's Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers in Ruston, La. We're beyond excited that NCLAC was chosen as 1 of 21 screening partners for the 2016-2017 Southern Circuit Tour, a tour of independent films and filmmakers in which filmmakers participate in community screenings and audience engagement activities. 

NCLAC will present six of the Southern Circuit films over eight months at the Dixie Center for the Arts. These selected films have been screened at major film festivals, winning awards and gaining national recognition. If you haven't caught on yet, let me be blunt: THIS IS A BIG DEAL. Ruston has never seen an event like this, so you absolutely will not want to miss this series of films. 

Not only do viewers have the opportunity to see these films on screen at the historic Dixie Theatre, but they will also have the chance to participate in a Q&A with the filmmakers after the screening. Find more information and a link to purchase tickets here. 

Reel Paddling Film Festival

September 22 

6-8pm | Louisiana Tech Planetarium 

image via reelpaddlingfilmfestival.com

Louisiana Delta Adventures is bringing the World Tour of the Reel Paddling Film Festival to Ruston, La.! The Reel Paddling Film Festival is an international adventure film tour presenting the world’s best paddling films of the year. There are 21 inspiring paddling films shortlisted for the World Tour, including the ten festival category winners. 

Audiences will see gripping whitewater action, sea kayakers exploring remote coastlines, northern river canoe expeditions, international river travel films, motivating environmental documentaries, intense kayak fishing battles, and hilarious short films capturing the lighter side of paddling life.

This is a free event, although seating is limited to the first 100 attendees. Each participant will be able to vote for their "People's-Choice Favorite" and will receive a free subscription to a paddling magazine. In addition, a kayak will be given away to one lucky winner. This showing is only one of two tours held in the the South so far this year, so be sure to take advantage of this unique opportunity! Find more info here.

A Night of Shorts by Matthew Ramsaur

September 24

7:30-9:30pm | Celebrity Theatres in Ruston 

image via facebook.com/events/603169083189226/

A Night of Shorts provides another unique opportunity to view four short films created by Matthew Ramsaur, local filmmaker/videographer of Ramsaur Films. These four shorts have a Christian theme, but please be aware that most of these films are not suitable for children under the age of 13. This event will be held at Celebrity Theatres in Ruston and is free to the public. 

The four films being shown are In Between, Shadows Aglow, Freedom, and Divert. In Between was recently screened at the Great Lakes Christian Film Festival in Buffalo, New York and was nominated for four awards, winning Best Short Film and Best Director. Following the films, there will be a Q&A session with cast and crew of each film. Don't miss this great opportunity to support an incredibly talented local filmmaker. Find more info here.

We hope you get a chance to experience this diverse and unique series of film events taking place in Ruston, La. this fall! Please comment below if you have any questions regarding these events. For more event listings visit experienceruston.com.  

Tori is a proud Louisiana native and social media nerd. She has a passion for travel, food, and all things related to tourism promotions. Tori is an avid movie watcher, coffee fanatic, and lover of the outdoors. Still want to know more? Head over to her website.