Christmas time came to Evangeline Parish as municipalities began holding their Christmas parades over the past weekend. In Mamou, the parade was held on Saturday, December 4, at 11 a.m. Following the parade, children flocked to city hall where they enjoyed several Christmas activities such as balloon artists making holiday balloons, face painting, and photographs with Santa Claus and other characters. In the top left photo, The Grinch hands out candy to children while riding his bicycle down 6th Street. On that same day, the Christmas parade was held in Pine Prairie at 4 p.m. Also, following the parade, members of the community gathered at the village’s gazebo for other Christmas activities and the lighting of the Christmas tree. Winners were also announced. T.J.’s Tire won the float division, Prairie Gun Works won the vehicle division, and the Pine Prairie High School Band won the miscellaneous division. In the top right photo, members of First Baptist Church Pine Prairie send a reminder of the reason for the season. The following day, on Sunday, December 5, the Evangeline Chamber of Commerce held its annual parade in Ville Platte at 5:30 p.m. After the parade, the community gathered at the city park across from city hall for the lighting of the Christmas Tree and other Christmas decorations. In the bottom left photo, Santa Claus rides an antique fire truck while greeting children across from the J.H. Perrodin Building on Main Street. The Turkey Creek parade will be held Saturday, December 11, at 11 a.m., and the Chataignier parade will be held Sunday, December 12, at 3 p.m. For more scenes of the parades from the past weekend, turn to Page 5. (Gazette photos by Heather Bogard, Kathy Longino, and Tony Marks)
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