Acadiana is getting into the Christmas spirit with parades, living nativity scenes and other holiday events.
Today, KATC was in Acadia, Iberia and Vermilion parishes to catch the sights and sounds of the holiday.
We were in Midland for the annual Christmas Parade, and in Morse for that town’s celebration.
Delcambre is best known for shrimping, but this afternoon it was a Christmas parade that rolled in the town, featuring festival queens, bands, dance teams, floats and lots of beads and candy.
It was cold, but the weather didn’t deter people from having fun and showing off their Christmas spirit.
Kylie Broussard, an On Pointe Studio dancer, said she was pretty cold.
“We’re freezing and we have tank tops on, and we have to use that without jackets…we’re gonna die,” she said, laughing.
Justin Landry, 8, of New Iberia, said they were ready to roll.
“Me and my brother and my sister and my cousin Elijah,” he said. “We’re all going to be throwing beads!”
Alexis Caston, another On Pointe Studio dancer, said she was ready, too.
“I’m excited to get started because I get to see all the people and plus my family that is out there because I get to see them and it’s fun,” she said.
A few hours later in New Iberia, the city’s Christmas Tree was lit in front of City Hall, and the Magic on Main Christmas Parade rolled right after that.
“The Christmas atmosphere is just what brings joy to my life,” New Iberia resident Lisa Burgardt told Josh Meny.
Freddie Decourt, mayor of New Iberia, said the event is a chance for the city to shine.
“It’s a great season. Christmas time. Brings everybody together, brings everybody out. Kinda shows off how we’re unique,” he said.
Main Street Queen Christina Pierce rode a float representing the Daily Iberian and Acadiana Lifestyle Magazine.
“We’re filling our float full of children with the Santa’s workshop theme,” she said. “So, we have a bunch of elves who are going to be throwing t-shirts and candy.”
Kayla Zeaunc, 12, of New Iberia, likes the excitement of the parade.
“Well it’s like, as soon as they start throwing candy, people just start rushing towards the candy on the ground,” she laughed.
Mekhilun Celestine likes the noise from the trucks.
“My favorite part of the Christmas parade is the fire trucks because when I was in kindergarten we went to the fire station and I wanted to get in it and it looked really cool,” Celestine said.
Fallyn Gonsoulin, the 46th Frog Festival Queen said the parade brings back memories.
“I used to dance with Gail Freese School of Dance, and every year I marched in the parade and when I was little I used to ride on the float,” she said. “So, my favorite part would have to be when we put our battons on the ground, and we’d blow a kiss to everybody and we’d say Merry Christmas because it’s so cute and it means so much to me to walk down the streets and see people enjoying the parade.”
