Hodges Gardens plans art event in park

• By CYNTHIA V. CAMPBELL
• Travel editor
• Published: Nov 16, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

• Print
• Email
• Save
• Reprints
• Twitter
• Share

• Del.icio.us
• Digg
• Facebook
• Reddit
• 

Hodges Gardens State Park in the Sabine Parish wilderness area can be described as a gardener’s dream, with 900 acres of wild and cultivated beauty.

Joining with the Louisiana Crafts Guild and Gallery One Eleven in Leesville, the park will present its first show, “Art in the Park” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22.

Visitors will find works by artists and crafts experts from across the state. The event will be on grounds near the Gift Shop and the park’s formal gardens. Other activities will include nature-related art projects for children and refreshments.

Originally designed and opened to the public in 1956 by oil and gas businessman A.J. Hodges, the site was donated to the state of Louisiana by the Hodges Foundation in 2007. The gardens consist of a variety of native and imported foliage, including a collection of Japanese Red Maple trees.

Walkways and footbridges throughout the gardens allow people to stroll through various sections of beautiful landscaping. Water from a 225-ace lake is pumped from the lake through the gardens to waterfalls, pools, a geyser, fountains and to the watering system before it is recycled back into the lake.

Hodges is on U.S. 171, about 15 miles north of Leesville and 15 miles south of Many. The park offers limited overnight facilities. There are nine standard cabins for $65 per night that sleep up to four people and two deluxe cabins for $90 a night that sleep six people.

Entrance fees are $5 per person, $4 for seniors 62 and over and free to children age 3 and under. Contact (888) 354-3523.

Christmas in Roseland
More than a million “blooming” lights will adorn rosebushes in the American Rose Center at Shreveport for “Christmas in Roseland.”

The event will run Tuesday through Sunday, Nov. 28-Dec. 24. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. with the last car admitted at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday and Tuesday through Thursday. Closing hour Friday and Saturday will be 9:30 p.m.

Center stage will be the 18-foot, white Victorian Santa’s Cottage where the jolly old elf will visit with guests each Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Highlights include dozens of lighted displays, 50 giant Christmas Cards to the Community created by local elementary, middle school and high school students, a model train display, nightly entertainment and more.

Just off I-20, the Gardens of the American Rose Center costs $5 per person or $15 per car, whichever is less. Mini-bus and charter bus rates are available. Call (318) 938-5534.

Sunday outing
The Iberville Museum Association will host “The Revelry of Wreaths” 2-5 p.m. today  at the museum in Plaquemine. The afternoon will feature a live auction of decorative wreaths, a silent auction of gift items and a raffle for a $1,000 prize. No admission. Refreshments will be offered. The museum is at 57735 Main St. in Plaquemine. Call (225) 687-7197.