The Story Behind the Wonderland in the Pines:

 In 1990, the town of Jonesboro held a contest in the community for submitting theme ideas for the town's annual Christmas extravaganza. Hundreds of ideas began to pour in from all across the area, and finally a winner was chosen: Linda Matthews & Michelle Denton, whose suggested theme was "Christmas Wonderland in the Pines". This theme fit perfect with Jonesboro's rural atmosphere, so on December 1, 1990, the town of Jonesboro, Louisiana, adopted this phrase as the new theme of their annual Christmas activities.

Since that time, Jonesboro's yearly yuletide festival has become somewhat of a famous event in North Louisiana. Boasting an incredible 9,000,000 Christmas lights in town, Jonesboro has continued to carry on this tradition, adding more lights every year, and drawing in visitors and tourists from all around.

The Chamber of Commerce heads up the role of organizing the town's huge Christmas Parade, which is always a wonderfully magical event attended by thousands of local and out-of-town folks alike. The town's parade is always held on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Also showing up in Jonesboro this time of year is none other than Santa Clause himself, who can be found in his house located in the Tony Rome Park every evening starting November 24 and continuing through the Saturday before Christmas. While visiting Santa, be sure to catch a ride on one of the Cinderella Carriage rides, also running every evening from November 24 to January 1.

Click here to see more pictures of Jonesboro's Christmas activities!


HOME