Abbeville’s Cajun Christmas Celebration promises fun for all this Saturday

This Saturday, the first ever Abbeville’s Cajun Christmas Celebration will take place in Downtown Abbeville. Put on by organizations, businesses, and individuals of the community, it is truly an event by the community for the community.
This year, the Rotary Club of Abbeville has taken the parade under the the umbrella of their organization and collaborated with local businesses and organizations to bring the first Abbeville Cajun Christmas Celebration. This event will take place on the evening of Dec. 11, 2021 in Downtown Abbeville.
Abbeville Rotary President, Annette Mudd said, “When we were presented with the opportunity to take on the Abbeville Christmas Parade, we saw this as a great opportunity to give back to our community, but to also engage other organizations around town.”
Those other organizations were happy to come on board when the planning began earlier this year.
Vermilion Parish Clerk of Court, Diane Meaux Broussard said, “The parade has always been a great event for everyone to come out and watch, but this year we are opening it up so that more people can get involved, whether that’s walking, biking, or riding. If someone wants to spread Christmas cheer, we want them involved.”
The event will open at 4 p.m. with activities in Magdalen Square and food and craft vendors along Concorde Street. The parade will begin rolling at 5:30 p.m. and make its way from the train tracks on S. State Street to North Saint Charles north to Edwards Street and then end back down State Street over to Washington Street, and back to the railroad tracks. Children will have an opportunity to receive toys from Rotarians as part of the parade this year. Papa Noël will greet parade goers from an airboat as part of the “Cajun” theme and Retired Brigadier General Robert J LeBlanc will be honored as the Grand Marshal. Following the parade, there will be live entertainment, photos with Santa, activities in Magdalen Square, and shopping along Concorde Street.
“We saw the potential in this event. It’s a great way for anyone in the community to be involved, and it has appeal to those outside of our community. It is our goal to continue growing it into a festival and market that has the potential to bring in tourism dollars that benefit our businesses,” said Abbeville City Councilwoman Roslyn White.
In addition to the evening activities, there will be other events happening in Abbeville that day. Making Spirits Bright: A Holiday Light Trail around AA Comeaux brought to you by the Boys & Girls Club of Abbeville. Learn more here: https://fb.me/e/1QiMQCSqs. Junior Auxiliary of Abbeville will be holding their Here Comes Santa 5k & Fun Run that morning! Register at: https://runsignup.com/Race/LA/Abbeville/HereComesSanta5K.
This is a true collaboration of the community and all are encouraged to participate. You can still get involved until Tuesday, Dec. 7, by:
Enter to participate in the parade. Anyone can register online to walk or ride in the parade. Visit https://forms.gle/h5mV1P3SicMJ5QZq5.
Enter the city-wide front yard and storefront decoration contest. Register your home or business online to enter the judging. Visit https://forms.gle/Zae8rUkAhVsf2xbE9.
Enter as a food, non-alcoholic beverage or craft vendor. Visit https://forms.gle/pDXHSroWU68vt5cW6.
If your organization would like to get involved, please contact the Rotary Club of Abbeville.
For more information, visit AbbevilleChristmas.com or rcabbeville.org.
Organizations already involved include Rotary Club of Abbeville, Allumé Society, American Legion, Boys & Girls Club of Abbeville, City of Abbeville, Abbeville Police Department, FUEL Vermilion, Junior Auxiliary, Kiwanis Club of Abbeville, Rotary Satellite Club of Abbeville After Hours, Vermilion Chamber of Commerce, Vermilion Gives Back, Vermilion Parish Clerk of Court, Vermilion Parish Library, and the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Department.