Editing Ruston, Louisiana (section)

== Arts and culture ==
[[File:Greenwood Cemetery, Ruston, LA IMG 3832.JPG|thumb|right|Greenwood Cemetery in Ruston has graves from the [[American Civil War]] era.  Notable interments include [[Robert Edwin Russ]], founder of Ruston, and publisher [[Clarence Faulk]].]]
[[File:Historic fire station, Ruston, LA IMG 3790.JPG|thumb|right|Restored historic fire station in downtown Ruston]]
[[File:Dixie Theater in Ruston, LA IMG 3778.JPG|thumb|right|Dixie Theater in downtown Ruston]]
[[File:Revised, Ruston, LA water tower IMG 5646.JPG|thumb|right|Ruston water tower off [[Interstate 20]]]]
[[File:Ruston, LA, Civic Center IMG 3797.JPG|thumb|right|Ruston Civic Center]]

Most cultural activities are offered through Louisiana Tech. Also there are shops downtown, chain restaurants in the city, and an eight-screen Celebrity Theater. Other university-based opportunities exist at [[Grambling, Louisiana|Grambling]] (6 miles from Ruston) and [[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]] (35 miles away). The [[Louisiana Tech University Arboretum]] interests many visitors.
 
Early in 2007, the city initiated a blueprint for future growth and development of the Ruston area. Known as "Ruston 21", the plan will evaluate the assets of the community and the ways to achieve goals. It will look citywide at residential development and neighborhoods, recreation planning, transportation issues, economic development, infrastructure concerns, quality of life, and working collaboratively with Louisiana Tech University.

Opened in 1928, the historic [[Dixie Center for the Arts|Dixie Theater]] serves as the visual and performing arts hub of Ruston as it houses the North Central Louisiana Arts Council, Piney Hills Gallery, Ruston Community Theatre, Ruston Civic Symphony Society, Troupe Dixie, independent film screenings, dance recitals, and music concerts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dixiecenter.org/about-us/ |title=History (About Us) |access-date=2017-04-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427194216/http://dixiecenter.org/about-us/ |archive-date=2017-04-27 |website=Dixie Center for the Arts}}</ref> Celebrity Theatres, an eight-screen movie theater with digital projection and sound with 3D capabilities and stadium seating in all auditoriums, opened in Ruston in 2006.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/43305 |title = Ruston 8 in Ruston, LA - Cinema Treasures}}</ref> On campus at Louisiana Tech, Howard Auditorium and Stone Theatre serve as the university's home for the performing arts, and Louisiana Tech is home to two visual art galleries including the [[E. J. Bellocq]] Gallery and the Louisiana Tech Art Gallery.

The Louisiana Military Museum features uniforms, weapons, flags, training gear, aircraft, and vehicles from nearly every conflict in United States history.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sos.la.gov/HistoricalResources/VisitMuseums/LouisianaMilitaryMuseum/Pages/default.aspx |title=Louisiana Military Museum |access-date=2018-12-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427192403/http://www.sos.la.gov/HistoricalResources/VisitMuseums/LouisianaMilitaryMuseum/Pages/default.aspx |archive-date=2017-04-27 |url-status=dead |website=LA Secretary of State - Historical Resources}}</ref> Built in 1886, the Kidd-Davis house is home to the Lincoln Parish Museum, which exhibits early Ruston history.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lincolnparishmuseum.org/collection/ |title=Collection |access-date=2017-04-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426195516/http://www.lincolnparishmuseum.org/collection |archive-date=2017-04-26 |website=The Lincoln Parish Museum & Historical Society}}</ref> Located on Louisiana Tech's main campus, The Idea Place Math and Science Discovery Center offers many interactive science exhibits including a planetarium.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latech.edu/ideaplace/cms/about|title=About Tech|access-date=5 January 2021|website=Louisiana Tech University}}</ref>

Ruston is located in the heart of [[North Louisiana]], known as the Sportsman's Paradise, where outdoor activities like hunting and fishing are popular for residents. Located on the Louisiana Tech campus, [[Garland Gregory]] Hideaway Park has a seven-acre lake for fishing and canoeing, walking/running trails, pavilions, grills, ropes course, and an 18-hole frisbee golf course.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rustonlincoln.com/garland-gregory-hideaway-park |title=Garland Gregory Hideaway Park |access-date=2017-04-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427195120/http://www.rustonlincoln.com/garland-gregory-hideaway-park |archive-date=2017-04-27 |website=Ruston Lincoln Parish CVB}}</ref> The North Louisiana Exhibition Center hosts rodeos, barrel races, horse and livestock shows, roping events, and antique car and tractor shows in Ruston.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nlec.lincolnparish.org/ |title=North Louisiana Exhibition Center |access-date=2017-04-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817080149/http://nlec.lincolnparish.org/ |archive-date=2016-08-17 |website= Lincoln Parish}}</ref>

As home to the [[Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and Lady Techsters]] of [[Conference USA]], Ruston is a scene of major college sports. The [[Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football]] team plays at [[Joe Aillet Stadium]] and has won three national championships, won 25 conference championships, and played in 24 postseason games including nine major college bowl games.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://issuu.com/latechsports/docs/16_fb_mg_issuu_final |title = 2016 Louisiana Tech Football Media Guide}}</ref> The [[Louisiana Tech Bulldogs basketball]] and [[Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters basketball]] teams play their games at the [[Thomas Assembly Center]]. The Dunkin' Dawgs have won 25 regular season conference championships, made seven NCAA Tournament appearances including one Sweet Sixteen, and nine NIT appearances.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://issuu.com/latechsports/docs/2016-17_mbb_mg_issuu |title = 2016-17 Louisiana Tech Men's Basketball Media Guide}}</ref> The Lady Techsters have won three national championships and 20 regular season conference championships; have competed in 13 Final Fours, 23 Sweet Sixteens, and 27 NCAA Tournaments; and have the second most wins all-time of any women's college basketball program.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://issuu.com/latechsports/docs/2016-17_wbb_mg_issuu |title = 2016-17 Louisiana Tech Women's Basketball Media Guide}}</ref> The [[Louisiana Tech Bulldogs baseball]] team plays at [[J. C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park]], has won 21 regular season conference championships, and has participated in eight NCAA Tournaments.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://issuu.com/latechsports/docs/17_bsb_mg_issuu | title=2017 Louisiana Tech Baseball Media Guide}}</ref>

=== Peach Festival ===

Each June, Ruston hosts its annual Peach Festival, sponsored by the [[Squire Creek Country Club]].

Until the 1940s, most area peach farming had been done on a small-scale family basis. In 1947, area peach growers organized the Louisiana Fruit Growers Association and held the first festival four years later on June 27–28, 1951. On that occasion, [[Justin Wilson (chef)|Justin Wilson]], the popular south Louisiana chef and [[Cajun]] humorist entertained the audience at Howard Auditorium on the Louisiana Tech campus. Then [[Louisiana State Senate|State Senator]] [[Dudley J. LeBlanc]] of [[Abbeville, Louisiana|Abbeville]] in [[Vermilion Parish, Louisiana|Vermilion Parish]], the promoter of the [[patent medicine]] known as [[Hadacol]], was invited to crown the first Peach Festival Queen, Ann Colvin of [[Bernice, Louisiana|Bernice]] in [[Union Parish, Louisiana|Union Parish]].<ref name=peach>"62nd Peach Festival in Ruston June 22", ''The Piney Woods Journal'', June 2012, pp. 15, 17-18</ref>

The festival sponsors races of 5K and 1M and a tennis tournament played on the Louisiana Tech courts.<ref name=peach/>

=== Railroad Fest ===
Railroad Fest is an annual makers, music, and culture festival held in Downtown Ruston each April since 2017.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.rustonlincoln.com/blog/13/Railroad-Fest-A-Celebration-of-Makers-Music | title=Railroad Fest – A Celebration of Makers & Music}}</ref> The Makers Fair is held at the Historic Ruston Fire Station, and live music is performed at the amphitheater at Railroad Park.