By Hanna Signh
Across the US, Thanksgiving traditions vary from state to state and family to family. In North Louisiana, things might look a little different to the rest of the country. In the South we often see “dressing” instead of “stuffing” and pecan pie rivaling pumpkin. For Ruston, our town transforms into a lit-up Hallmark-style haven for the holidays. Families and friends can eat a delicious Thanksgiving meal and walk the Downtown streets, enjoying this spectacle of holiday lights.
However, with a large percentage of Lincoln Parish’s population being college students, Thanksgiving in Ruston isn’t just about family traditions. Many Ruston residents know that Thanksgiving also means extending warmth and hospitality to students who call Lincoln Parish home for the holidays.
For some students, Lincoln Parish is already their permanent home, with family just around the corner.
For others, college is a world away from where they grew up and making it home for the holidays isn’t always an option. In Ruston’s tight-knit community, Thanksgiving becomes more than a family affair. The holiday is an opportunity to extend hospitality through family gatherings, Friendsgivings, community events and local programs.
Amy Stegall, Main Street Director and Community Coordinator, highlights what makes Ruston unique during the season of gratitude.
“Thanksgiving is all about tradition, and for many Ruston families, spending the holiday together is a cherished custom. It’s about sharing recipes, reliving memories, and simply being together,” Stegall said. “What sets Ruston apart is its hospitality toward college students who can’t make it home, especially those from far away. Local families and churches often open their doors, ensuring everyone has a place to celebrate. In Ruston, the warmth of the community and the kindness of strangers, make it a truly special place to spend Thanksgiving and the entire holiday season.”
With Ruston having such a heart for college students, there is no shortage of resources for students to get connected over the holidays. One program reaching out to students is the college ministry at the Bridge Community Church. The Friendship Family Program offered by the church pairs international students with host families, allowing them to build meaningful relationships during their college stay.
Many of these families invite the students to their Thanksgiving meals, giving them a chance to experience their traditions.
Director of The Bridge Kids, Lori Waits, explained how local churches support college students and give back to the community for Thanksgiving.
“We value the importance of discipleship across all ages. You see this benefit people in so many different ways, but one way is during the holidays,” Waits said. “People in our church that disciple college age kids often invite them into their homes during the holidays if they can’t make it home to be with their families.”
While opening your home to strangers may not seem ideal for everyone, many Ruston families embrace the idea of “the more the merrier” and welcome those without Thanksgiving plans.
One Ruston resident, Meissa Billeaud, knows that international students especially, often lack a cozy place to spend the holiday. She explained how she and her family share their Thanksgiving traditions with others.
“Because of the huge international student population at Tech, my family has started a tradition of inviting any international students we know to our family Thanksgiving,” Billeaud said. “We’ll have friends joining from Sri Lanka, Nepal and Pakistan. It’s always fun to hear about their traditions as they participate in ours.”
While Thanksgiving may look different for everyone in Lincoln Parish, one thing is for certain. Whether Lincoln Parish is your hometown, your home away from home, or just a temporary place to stay, you can be sure that you’ll be made welcome in this little corner of the world. Lincoln Parish embraces the spirit of togetherness, making sure everyone feels at home for Thanksgiving.
