There’s something truly special about Christmas in Minden. Each year, our town transforms into a place filled with joy, wonder, and community spirit. From the tree lighting at City Hall to the Christmas parade and holiday markets, this weekend-long celebration has become a tradition we all look forward to.
This year’s Christmas in Minden, set for December 12–14, promises to be another memorable experience. With events like the Wine Walk, Presents on Pearl Vendor Market, hayrides, museum tours, and of course the beloved parade, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. It’s more than just an event, it’s a chance to gather with neighbors, support local businesses, and create memories with our families.
I have vivid memories of years past, especially from my time serving on the board of the Greater Minden Chamber. Organizing and managing the parade was a labor of love. I remember walking downtown with my fellow board members, helping line up floats, waving to excited kids, and doing whatever needed to be done to make the night magical. That kind of community effort is what Minden is all about.
And it’s not just the big events that make Christmas in Minden so meaningful. I think about the hustle and bustle downtown, businesses handing out cookies and hot chocolate, children decorating treats with Mrs. Claus, and families bundled up in coats, smiling together. These small moments, shared with the people we care about, are what the season is all about.
Events like these don’t happen by accident. They take months of planning, coordination, and volunteer effort. So I want to offer a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved: Visit Webster Parish, the City of Minden, the Greater Minden Chamber, business sponsors like Gibsland Bank & Trust, The Minden Foundation, Minden Family Dental, and countless others who contribute time, money, and energy. You are helping create something truly magical for our community.
I also encourage everyone to make time to participate. Whether you hop on the hayride, visit the Germantown Colony Museum, shop the vendor market, or just show up for the parade, your presence matters. Events like Christmas in Minden thrive when we show up and support them. They are a reflection of who we are and what we value.
More than ever, we need these moments of connection. Life moves fast. The holidays can become hectic and stressful. But when we pause to enjoy traditions like this one, we’re reminded of what’s most important: faith, family, community, and the simple joy of being together.
So mark your calendar, bring the family, and come downtown. Let’s celebrate the season in a way only Minden can. I’ll be there, taking it all in, grateful for this town I’m proud to call home.
Merry Christmas, Minden. Let’s make this holiday one to remember.
David Specht is president of Specht Newspapers, Inc., publisher of the Minden Press-Herald, Bossier Press-Tribune, and BIZ Magazine.