Attendants sipped on apple cider and strolled around in Louisiana-appropriate 70-degree weather Saturday as the Southern Vintage Band played bluegrass tunes for volunteers and visitors of the LSU Rural Life Museum’s Christmas celebration.
The museum hosted a 19th century rural life Christmas celebration. Volunteers of all ages and from around the state dressed in period costumes and participated in demonstrations.
The day-long celebration was held at the museum located off Essen Lane, tucked behind woods, fields of rose gardens and greenhouses full of poinsettias.
The exhibits included wreath making, a blacksmith, candle making, a cooking demonstration, a civil war re-enactment, gospel singers, dancing and children’s games.
Nestled on the side of the museum grounds, a small white wooden church came to life as gospel singers performed for those who ventured in and found a seat.
In the museum’s main building, the University Baptist Bell Ringers performed Christmas carols for children.
Outside a pioneer exhibit, Amanda Poole, 12, of Baton Rouge stood amid a pile of loosely intertwined grape vines and explained how she created the small wreath her mother was helping her finish.
Poole said the wreath had been her favorite exhibit at the museum, and she was going to take it home and make it into an advent wreath.
Drawing the attention of many children to the side of the grounds, several Civil War re-enactors set up tents, cooked over open fires and conducted a demonstration that allowed children to shoot muskets.
Tom Landrun, an anesthesiologist from Gulfport, Miss., said he has dressed up in war costumes once or twice a month for the past 16 years and participates in war re-enactments around the country.
Landrun said Saturday’s group has been participating in re-enactments together for many years.
Landrun, who was wearing a Confederate costume, said he could dress for either side, depending on the need for a particular battle.
“We have uniforms for both,” Landrun said. “I can go in my tent and in a minute come out as a Yankee.”
Wayne Elliott, a history teacher in Jonesville, said he has been participating in the museum’s Christmas celebration for eight years, sometimes in the war re-enactment and other times at the other exhibits.
Elliott said he likes the event because there are so many activities in one place.
“If someone spent all day, they can learn a little about everything,” he said.
Austin Persinger, 3, from Addis, said he liked the guns most at the exhibit.
“I fired the gun,” he said as he spun around excitedly. “It was loud. Boom. Pow.”
Linda Gaudet, a teacher in Metairie, said she enjoyed seeing all the old buildings and acts as she left the performance by the gospel singers.
Gaudet said she enjoyed the history of the state and learning about her roots in Louisiana.
 ”It’s just so good to be in touch with the history that’s our history,” she said.