Midwestern’s Thoughts on Ruston

Written by Anne Naber, Louisiana Center for the Blind student and intern for the Ruston Lincoln Chamber of Commerce.

Being that I'm from St. Paul, Minnesota, my perspective of Ruston-Lincoln Parish comes from a Midwesterner’s point of view. I came from   a big city to a small college town. From the Midwest to the South. So far, the only part of Lincoln Parish I've had the pleasure of exploring is Ruston. I feel like I have gotten a good taste of Lincoln Parish, as Ruston is the heart of the Parish. Ruston is a big enough city to have sufficient entertainment, but small enough to still possess that small southern town charm. There are many cute shops, boutiques, and restaurants. It's a close knit community, but still very welcoming and accepting. There's that casual open friendliness that can only be found in the south. It seems like a great place to raise a family.

One thing that stands out to me as a Midwesterner is the richness of history. There is that strong pride in history, which I find to be characteristic of the south. People are born and raised here, and choose to stay; you can tell they're proud to be Rustonites. The restoration of the historic downtown area demonstrates the dedication and pride the community has in its rich history, and in keeping that history alive.

One thing this parish excels in is having and maintaining a healthy business environment. They might not have as many businesses as some big cities, but what they do have thrives. They offer a wide range of shops and eateries, all with a southern flair. There are multiple restaurants offering many tasty dishes that are unique to the region, and literally cannot be found anywhere in the Midwest. From what I can tell, Ruston has a strong business community, which I'm sure will continue to expand and prosper.

The railroad system and interstate help to connect the Parish with the outside world. I'll never forget the sound of trains passing through Ruston at all times of the day. From now on, whenever I hear a train whistle, I will remember Ruston fondly. If Ruston is a good representation of the rest of the Parish, I look forward to seeing more.

Keep checking back for more from Anne Naber! 

Tell us about your adventures in #RustonLA!

            

National Travel & Tourism Week

Written by Amanda Quimby, CVB Marketing Director

May 2-10, 2015 is National Travel & Tourism Week. This is a week long promotion of the impact travel and tourism had on the U.S. economy. Travel is more than just fun and excitement, travel means jobs and a growth. 

In celebration of NTTW, the CVB is going to cover the $2 admission fee to Lincoln Parish Park Monday through Friday, May 4-8, 2015, for anyone and everyone who wants to visit! From walking and biking trails to the beautiful lake and fishing opportunities, there is something new to experience every time you visit. 

Lincoln Parish Park
211 Parish Park Road in Ruston, LA.
Operation Hours: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Bring a book or your tablet (wifi available!) and enjoy some alone time, bring the crew out to grill or picnic, try a new place for you and the dog to walk. Have a canoe? Bring it. Fishing pole? Bring it. Camera? Definitely bring it. Whether you just spend an hour or two or you make a day of it, we hope you discover new things to love about the park and Ruston. Don't forget to share your pics with us @RustonCVB #RustonLA!

Another reason to visit the park this week: a chance to win $100!
And it's pretty easy so stop by and learn how.

Tell us what does travel and tourism means to you. @RustonCVB @USTravel #NTTW2015

Amanda Quimby is a native of Franklin Parish, a University of Louisiana at Monroe alumna and now a proud Ruston resident. As the marketing director for the CVB, she has an love for travel and tourism, and the coolest job ever. Amanda’s favorite things: coffee, wine and swing jazz. When she’s not working, ...just kidding. She’s always working. Follow her on Instagam and Twitter.

2015 Crappie Masters Tournament

Today is registration day! If you haven't already registered online, be sure to come by Lincoln Parish Library Events Center at 5:00 p.m. Following registration will be a seminar at 6:30 p.m.

The tournament will take place tomorrow, Saturday, April 18 at the following lakes: Lake D'Arbonne, Caney Lake, Lake Claiborne. Participating anglers will be able to fish any of the the lakes between 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Weigh-in will be held at 4:30 p.m. at the North Louisiana Exhibition Center located at 165 Fairgrounds Road in Ruston. Crappie Masters pay out over 100% of the entry fees in cash and prizes! Winners from this tournament quality for the 2015 National Championship in Nashville, Tennessee.

Don't forget about the kids! Crappie Masters will also offer a free fishing rodeo for kids at Lake D'Arbonne for ages 15 and under. Registration for this event begins at 8:00 a.m. and fishing is from 9:00-10:30 a.m.


For more information visit www.crappiemasters.net or www.experienceruston.com!

Tell us about your adventures in #RustonLA!

            

NCLAC’s Summer Arts Camps are back!

Written by Jessica Slaughter, NCLAC Executive Director 

The North Central Louisiana Arts Council’s Summer Arts Camps are back for 2015! For more than twenty years, NCLAC has offered art camps for students enrolled in 1^st through 6^th grades (entering 2nd through 7th in the fall).

Students in 2D class - 2014

 These five-day camps, held Monday-Friday from 9am-noon, are taught by artists and art educators. This year’s camps will offer classes each day in drama, visual art, and new this year—PERCUSSION!

Camp schedule is as follows:

Ruston 1, June 22-26 at Presbyterian Church of Ruston

Jonesboro, July 6-10 at United Methodist Church, Jonesboro

Ruston 2, July 13-17 at Presbyterian Church of Ruston

This year we will have Matthew Knopps, art teacher in Ouachita Parish, and Hillary Clary, talented art teacher in Caddo Parish, instructing our visual art classes. Although these teachers teach outside Lincoln Parish, Knopps lives here in Ruston, and Clary is a Ruston native. They are both graduates of Louisiana Tech.

James Waller, a Lincoln Parish musician and former director of the Percussive Arts Institute of Ruston, will be teaching our music classes.

Stephanie Tippi Hart, a local theatre personality and soon-to-be PhD candidate at Arizona State University, will lead our drama classes. You may also know Hart as RPAR’s Zumba instructor.

For more than twenty years, NCLAC has offered art camps for students enrolled in 1^st through 6^th grades (entering 2nd through 7th in the fall).

These five-day camps, held Monday-Friday from 9am-noon, are taught by artists and art educators. This year’s camps will offer classes each day in drama, visual art, and new this year—PERCUSSION!

Camp schedule is as follows:

Ruston 1, June 22-26 at Presbyterian Church of Ruston

Jonesboro, July 6-10 at United Methodist Church, Jonesboro

Ruston 2, July 13-17 at Presbyterian Church of Ruston

This year we will have Matthew Knopps, art teacher in Ouachita Parish, and Hillary Clary, talented art teacher in Caddo Parish, instructing our visual art classes. Although these teachers teach outside Lincoln Parish, Knopps lives here in Ruston, and Clary is a Ruston native. They are both graduates of Louisiana Tech.

James Waller, a Lincoln Parish musician and former director of the Percussive Arts Institute of Ruston, will be teaching our music classes.

Stephanie Tippi Hart, a local theatre personality and soon-to-be PhD candidate at Arizona State University, will lead our drama classes. You may also know Hart as RPAR’s Zumba instructor.

NCLAC's Summer Arts Camps 1) are loads of fun 2) provide quality, creative instruction and 3) are reasonably priced. 

Dragons in Final Friday play, The Magic Compass - 2014

Weeklong camps are $60 if you register and pay by May 1; $65 after May 1. Camp fee includes supplies and a daily snack. Camp hours are Monday-Friday, 9am-noon. Space is limited to 44 per camp, so check your schedule and register your child today!

Those interested may register by phone at (318) 255-1450, or by downloading a registration form from http://www.nclarts.org/summer-art-camps/.

Forms and checks should be mailed to NCLAC, PO Box 911 Ruston, LA 71273, or dropped off at our office inside the Dixie Center for the Arts, 212 N Vienna St. in Ruston.

Tell us about your adventures in #RustonLA!

            

Ruston's breaking records?

April 1st - THE BIG REVEAL

The wait is over! Watch below to learn why we're all so excited! 
The 2015 Louisiana Peach Festival will be one to remember!

March 31 - UPDATE #2

And here's your second hint of what's coming to Ruston 

for the Louisiana Peach Festival! Have you figured it out yet? 

March 30 - UPDATE #1

Here's a sneak peek of what's to come! Check back tomorrow for another clip!

March 27 - Ruston's breaking records?

If it looks like Brandon, Sarah and Judy are up to something... it's because they are. But what in the world would these guys need with 520 lbs of sugar? 

We've already told you the Louisiana Peach Festival may be going down in the books, specifically the Guinness Book of World Records. Are you ready for more details?!

Stay tuned and follow @experienceruston and @rustonsbigevent on Instagram for updates!

Find all the Louisiana Peach Festival events on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!  

Tell us about your adventures in #RustonLA!