Abbeville's Christmas Celebration a huge success

The Christmas Celebration in Abbeville is getting bigger each year, and this year may have been the best.
On Saturday, downtown Abbeville looked like a Hallmark TV movie, with white lights lighting up buildings and the streets.
The day began early with a car show and musical entertainment, and it capped off with a 5:30 p.m. parade and a visit from Santa in Magdalen Square.
With perfect weather, the Abbeville streets were packed along the parade route, which began at Jim’s Tire Service and ended at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church.
The parade lasted 45 minutes.
“I think the celebration has grown yearly,” said Rotary Club President Todd Chauvin.
Claire Broussard is the president of the Christmas Celebration. She said the parade was twice as big as usual and lasted 45 minutes. 
“There were more floats that were decorated with a theme,” she said.  
Magdalen Square was full of vendors that remained open until 8 p.m.
At the end of the parade, the Abbeville Rotary Club donated toys to more than 1,000 children waiting in line for the free toys.
A new added attraction that was a hit was a hand-made train featuring train cars that children could ride in.
This past Saturday, from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., Stacy Landry, the conductor, drove a train full of children around the courthouse and dropped them off at Magdalen Square.
Here is a list of winners for the parade and the decoration:
Home winner:
• Lexi Stelly at 1101 Allen Alexandre

Business winner:
• Auto Correct Automotive Repair

Parade Winners:
• Glenn Lege Construction

Christmas Spirit:
• Palmetto State Park

Original:
• David Keating

Judge’s Choice:
• Relay for Life

Car winner:
• Mitch Reed