For years, Holiday Trail of Lights has been a one-of-a-kind partnership between six cities in Louisiana and Texas. Shreveport, Bossier City, Natchitoches, Louisiana and Marshall, Jefferson and Kilgore, Texas together promote holiday festivities along I-20 and I-49.

All Holiday Trail of Lights events offer visitors a chance to make lasting holiday memories. Each year visitors are encouraged to create their own unique experience along the trail by selecting from numerous fun-filled events, great food, tons of shopping, arts, tours and more, including:

Shreveport - Revel in the holiday spirit with a stroll through Christmas in Roseland each weekend, Nov. 27-Dec. 20, at the Gardens of the American Rose Center. A fun-filled holiday experience for the entire family, the rose center transforms into a holiday wonderland of lights featuring Santa, live entertainment, giant Christmas Cards to the Community, Santa's Candy Shop, the Roseland Express and much more.

Bossier City - The annual Lighting Ceremony will take place at 6 p.m., Friday, Nov. 20, at the Louisiana Boardwalk. This year's event will feature a 40-foot Christmas tree, 5,000 twinkling lights, performances by musical guest John Frazier and local dance groups, a snow blizzard and Santa's first area appearance.

For a complete list of holiday events, please visit www.holidaytrailoflights.com, and while there, sign up to receive our e-newsletter.


That's Entertainment
Boutiques Showcase Unique Finds, Holiday Gift Ideas

The Villaggio - a new lifestyle center set to open this month in Bossier City will offer a unique blend of specialty retail, dining, office, and single and multi-family residential districts.

Steve and Loretta French's once home-based soap making business will transform to a specialty retail shop at The Villaggio. The Frenches will offer customers the finest handcrafted, natural bath and body products at their French Natural Soaps, Bath & Body Gallery. From the rendering of fat to the curing and cutting of each bar of soap, all of the couple's products are made from scratch and are not tested on animals.

And their inventory doesn't stop at body soaps. The Frenches also offer lotion bars and lip balms developed by Steve French, in addition to facial soaps, shaving soaps, custom wedding favors, bath bombs and more.

Also opening at The Villaggio will be Bossier City business Soumas Heritage Creole Cottage. From the moment you step inside the shop, the friendly and inviting atmosphere created by owner Panderina Soumas will have you feeling right at home.

Spend some time absorbing the history of Panderina's family as you sip a steamy, robust cup of Creole coffee and sway to Zydeco rhythms. The cozy shop will be full of savory Creole seasonings and treats - all from Panderina's treasured family recipes and traditions. You'll find everything from jambalaya mix to Soumas Creole Soul Seasoning to sweet and creamy pecan pralines.

With more than 75 specialty shops, the historic Line Avenue in Shreveport also offers you plenty of options to help you with gift ideas for everyone on your holiday list.

Among them is L'Oasis Gifts which offers the finest selection of bath and body products, bedding, home decor accessories, baby, gourmet and seasonal items, among a wide array of other products. L'Oasis also offers engraving and embroidery for a more personalized touch to share with your loved ones for the holidays.


Shreveport Boasts Options for Wine Connoisseurs

For wine connoisseurs interested in Shreveport-Bossier's one-of-a-kind flavors, there's plenty to choose from - like Penelope Peach, Bourbon Street Jazz, Black Bayou or Blueberry Moon. Those are what you can find at On Cloud Wine - Shreveport's first winery.

Owners Billy and Debbie Keckler, recently opened the winery in West Shreveport and will eventually increase their offerings by 12 additional varieties, including three muscadine wines created from grapes grown on site. Visit the winery at 6936 Buncombe Road for a taste before you purchase. For more information, call 318-426-0055.

Wine Country Bistro and Bottle Shop, located on historic Line Avenue in Shreveport, offers exceptional food and wines at reasonable prices.

Enjoy a flavorful wine at dinner and later move to the bottle shop at the back of the restaurant to purchase wine to take home. The bottle shop also features a large selection of artisan cheeses, gourmet products and wine accessories. Aside from fresh and tasty menu options for lunch and dinner, Wine Country also offers weekly wine tastings in the bottle shop and special wine dinners with vineyard owners in the bistro.

Check out the video for more about Wine Country.


Homewood Suites by Hilton Offers Special Deals

Homewood Suites by Hilton - Shreveport has great package options for travelers beginning this month. Located at 5485 Financial Plaza, the recently opened Homewood Suites by Hilton - Shreveport is conveniently located less than five miles away from Shreveport Regional Airport.

Romance Package: Slip into something a little more comfortable at the Homewood Suites by Hilton!

Check-in to a spacious suite and relax in a comfortable bath robe while enjoying a luscious box of assorted fine chocolates. There's no need to rush. Sleep in late and feast on our delicious complimentary Suite Start® hot breakfast. And to top it all off, the hotel will arrange for a late check-out at 1 p.m. The Homewood Suites Romance Package is a romantic getaway you're sure to remember. Rates as low as $149.

Shop 'til you Drop: Grab your girls and treat yourselves to a weekend of shopping and savings brought to you by the Louisiana Boardwalk and the Homewood Suites by Hilton in Shreveport!

Relax and enjoy an unforgettable shopping experience just in time for the holidays! In addition to a spacious suite and a delicious complimentary Suite Start® hot breakfast, you will enjoy a VIP Coupon Book with more than $500 in savings and a $50 gift card redeemable at most of the Boardwalk's unique shops and restaurants! Rates as low as $139.

For more information about the Louisiana Boardwalk, please call 318-752-1455 or visit their website at www.louisianaboardwalk.com.