By Judith Roberts
Downtown Ruston was full of Christmas cheer as the Ruston Cultural District presented a Holiday Singalong with musicians from Louisiana Tech, Grambling State and the Ruston Community Theatre, and as customers had an opportunity to visit downtown shops with extended hours that were offered during the event.
As area residents perused shops, they also had an opportunity to sit and listen to holiday carols. Emily Tooke, one of the singers from the Tech choir and said events like this helped brighten everyone’s holiday season.
“I think it’s a great way for the community to get together and just spend time together and have some holiday cheer,” Tooke said.
Miss Louisiana Tech 2023 Chanley Patterson also participated in the event with the Tech choir and echoed Tooke’s sentiments.
“It’s very special,” Patterson said. “Obviously, we all get sentimental around Christmas, and it’s special not only to share this time together but also to share music together.”
Brenda Coakley, a student with the GSU choir, said the Holiday Singalong was an opportunity to showcase everyone’s talents.
“One of the ways we can show our involvement and fellowship with family and different audiences is through Christmas and different concerts and things like this,” Coakley said. “We want to join with the community and just have fun.”
Amy Stegall, Main Street director and community coordinator, said this event was one of her favorites of the holiday season.
“The crowd is able to participate and join in in a lot of favorite Christmas carols,” Stegall said. “To me, the spirit of the season is at its best when we can all come together and sing and just enjoy a night in downtown Ruston. It’s also a great night for our merchants because they stay open late and people have an opportunity to shop local for the holidays. It is one of our favorite nights of the year.”
