Sunflower Trail Festival in Gilliam, Louisiana

Saturday 9/21/2024 - 10am till 3pm
LA Hwy 3049 & US Hwy 71

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The Self-driving Tour is Free.

Heritage and Harvest Festival in north Caddo Parish

Tour Attractions

Sample country life on our Heritage and Harvest Day. Enjoy a drive on the Historic Trail along Highway 3049 North and on to Highway 71 North. Visit small towns, libraries and attractions along the way. A picturesque drive through fields of cotton, corn and soybeans. Experience the rich culture, colorful history, and southern hospitality of north Caddo.

Prize Drawing

Win a framed limited edition art print by local artist Kristi Jones! Get your name in with a new or renewing RRCHCA membership purchased at the Gilliam Library & Museum AND get a free Sunflower t-shirt!

Art Contest

Submit your art for a chance to win $200 and be featured on the 2024 Sunflower Festival T-shirt. Deadline is November 2, 2023. See rules and additional info on our website!

Kiblah, AR

The Kiblah Rosenwald School and Museum - Hwy 71 N to Hwy 4 East (37 Miller County 192, Doddridge, AR 71834). Serving the African-American community of Kiblah in 1927, this historic school was partially funded by the Julius Rosenwald Fund, Sears & Roebuck CEO. It has modest Craftsman styling with some Greek revival influences. Penny Harris, coordinator, 903-244-5752.

Ida

Highway 71 North - The area was settled in the 1800's and named Ida after the daughter of the postmaster, Jonathan Chandler, when the Post Office was established in 1897. Mayor - Kenny Shaw.

  • The Capt. Fletcher E. Adams 357th Fighter Group Museum and Car Museum - Enjoy viewing the private collection of CH Maddox at 18876 Alabama Avenue, Ida 71044. Open 9-4 with cold drinks, coffee, water, and snacks. (318) 469-1060
  • Capt. Fletcher E. Adams 357th Fighter Group Museum and Car Museum
  • Ida Methodist Church - built in 1904, erected on land donated by W.B. Means and J.T. Means. 6874 Cedar Lane, Ida. The church will be open for viewing.
  • Ida Methodist Church
  • Visit the Secluded Magnolia Event Venue in the historic Carroway store - Meagan Oberley, owner. E. Magnolia Lane, Ida, LA 71044 318-525-6981
  • Ida Community Center, 6955 Cedar Lane, Ida, LA. Larry Maguire, the Ida Bee Man, will be there from 10-3 with a lecture at 10:30. He will discuss bee tending and honey production, with honey for sale.
  • Hillsong House, 19535 Highway 71. 318-422-5065 Owners, David & Aimee Neu. Tour a 100 year old historic farmhouse artistically furnished with eclectic vintage finds, build in 1923 by the Allison family. Follow wooded trails to hidden whimsical art & enjoy an old fashioned tea lunch served by the Neu’s & their daughter, Allie Beth. Open 10-3, tea and lunch served 11-2.

Mira

Highway 71 North - The area was settled around 1872. The village originally was called Loma, and was later named Mira, after the daughter of an early settler

  • Designs by Carol Quilt Shop, 17558 Hwy 71, Mira, LA. Muscadine and wild berry jelly, pickles and quilting of hand-pieced tops. Their Muscadine Vineyard will not be open.

Hosston

Highway 71 North - The area was settled between 1830 and 1850 by George Hale. Just east of Hosston, a steamboat landing was used for selling wood to steamboat captains. A ferry was operated on Black Bayou for the distribution of mail up and down North Caddo Parish and into Arkansas until Hale Post Office was chartered in 1890. The Post Office was moved to Hosston in 1901.

  • Hosston Village Hall, 15669 US Hwy 71. Mayor Kim Jaynes will host "Hosston History and Hobgoblins&34;, a scarecrow contest & display with photo ops! Hosston History museum open 10-3. 318-287-3225
  • Hosston Shreve Memorial Library, 15478 US Hwy 71. 318-287-3265. Cynthia Clark, Librarian. Shreve Memorial Library System celebrates 100 years! Light refreshments available. Susan Ballinger, Sioux Woman Design, will be there 10-3 with a lecture at 11:30am. She will demonstrate how to make a medicine bag and beading and have items for sale.
  • Big Mama's Antiques and Restorations, 6403 Parkway Dr. Antiques, Historical Artifacts and Black Americana. Owner, Ray Stevenson. 318-573-2127.
  • The Old Church House, 15615 Hwy 71 – Historic 1954 Methodist Church building, restored by Deb and Raymond McKinney. 318-287-3337
    • Soft opening of The House of Ruth Tea Room & Boutique - Niccqueta Varmall, owner. Experience a delightful journey where the enchanting flavors of Fleur De Lis Tea Farm's freshly harvested tea will be paired with a scrumptious selection of tea-time delicacies, all while guests are entertained with live performances. For Reservations call 501-887-1196. Shop Vendors and the Northwest Garden Club
  • Singing Pines Recreational Complex is the former Hosston Elementary/Alternative School. The main building is Art Deco Style designed by famous architect Edward F. Neild in 1931. A gymnasium was completed in 1951. The facility is open for tours by the Kirby family and will also be hosting a Savvy Sisters Sale. 318-287-3360.

Gilliam

Highway 3049 - In the 1880s R. L. Gilliam came to the area and bought land. In 1898, when the railroad came through the area, Mr. Gilliam donated a right of way on the agreement that the railroad put a depot on the land and name it Gilliam. A post office was established in 1900. In the aftermath of a cyclone in 1908 which killed 40 people, the TS&N Railroad sent carloads of emergency supplies and provided railcars for temporary storage for belongings of the survivors. Mayor - Adam Oliver

  • Free '22 Sunflower Festival t-shirt with RRCHCA membership ($10).
  • Gilliam Shreve Memorial Library, 12797 Main St. 318-296-4227. Linda Ashton, Librarian.
    • Red River Crossroads Museum - Books for sale - Crossroads Cuisine Cookbook and Plantations Along the Upper Red River of Louisiana.
    • Geraldine Zelinsky, Founder, NWLA Basket Makers, will conducting a lecture at 1:00 pm.
    • 2:00 pm Dedication of the Community mural by artist, Diane Long, in memory of Karen Logan and Helen Adger. Reception to follow at the museum.
    • Community Art
  • 1910 Reuben Thom Douglas Home, All's Well Farm, 12855 Adger Rd. This home was built circa 1910 by Reuben Douglas after the Gilliam 1908 storm destroyed their first home. The home remained in the family until 1993. Now owned by Drew and Sarah Daigle.
  • Douglas Home
  • Gilliam Gin Company - Highway 3049 South of Gilliam. Tour a modern cotton gin in operation.
  • Lynn Plantation Commissary - 12496 Highway 3049. A reconstruction of the original building that once served over 300 families who worked in the local fields. Featuring goods from local vendors – Sandie Smoak with Dixie Farms Lavender products and Kristy Jones with Dixieland Art.

Belcher

Highway 3049 - The village of Belcher began in 1899 when steamboat landings at Rush Point and Briarfield on the Red River were largely abandoned and shipping traffic moved over to the railroad. A new community was named "Horseshoe" and later renamed “Belcher” in honor of John Belcher who owned the land. Mayor – Jennifer Fant.

  • Belcher-Wyche Shreve Memorial Library, 409 Charles St. 318-378"4567. Lisa Miller, Librarian. Tony Mullins of Sarepta Cotton will be there 10-3 with a lecture at 2:00pm. He will demonstrate the process of cotton ginning and have items for sale.
  • Veterans Memorial - Gray Street, Honoring our veterans. Playground and picnic tables.

Dixie

  • Dixiemaze Farms - 9596 Sentell Rd. Fall Festival season grand opening, enjoy the corn maze, games, pumpkins, and more! Details at dixiemaze.com. Opens at 10am.

Food

  • D&I Grocery & Deli, 312 Caddo Street, Belcher
  • Main Street Restaurant, 12807 Main Street, Gilliam
  • James Country Store, 12781 Main St, Gilliam
  • House of Ruth Tearoom in The Old Church House, 15615 Hwy 71, Hosston
  • Travel Plaza Exxon Station, 6950 Mira Myrtis Rd, Mira

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