Avoyelles Christmas Events, Dec. 1-4

     The following is a list of Christmas events in Avoyelles Parish happening this week:

6 p.m.- Lighting of Avoyelles Parish Courthouse 

The annual lighting of the historic Avoyelles Parish Courthouse in Marksville will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday (Dec. 1). Thousands of lights will brighten the night as  Christmas carols are sung. The monthly “First Thursday on the Square” will be held that night from 5 to 7 p.m. Businesses around the square will be open for visitors to shop and enjoy the festive atmosphere. The Marksville Chamber of Commerce will serve hot chocolate and Santa Claus will make a special appearance, arriving on a Marksville Fire Department truck.

For more information contact the Chamber of Commerce at 253-8599. 

 

4:30 p m. Simmesport Cajun Christmas on the Bayou

The Simmesport Volunteer Fire Department will hold its annual “Cajun Christmas on the Bayou” with activities on Friday (Dec. 2) and next Sunday (Dec. 4).

A Christmas lighting contest throughout the town will be held on Friday. Contestants are asked to have displays turned on from 7-10 p.m.

The annual Christmas parade will be held next Sunday in downtown Simmesport, ending at the Fire Department. Line up will be from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. and pre-judging will be held from 4:15 to 4:30 p.m. 

The parade will roll from 4:30-5:30 p.m., followed immediately by a time of gumbo, music and storytelling by Mrs. Claus.

The gumbo will be served at the Simmesport Fire Department. Cost is $5 per bowl.

Winners of the parade will be announced at 6 p.m. and the town Christmas tree will be lit. The Avoyelles Public Charter School Choir will perform after the lighting ceremony. 

For more information or to participate in the parade, contact Jacob Coco at 305-9034.

 

10 a.m. to 4 p.m- Plaucheville Christmas in the Village

The village of Plaucheville will hold its “Christmas in the Village” celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday (Dec. 3) at the Plaucheville Community Center. 

The event will feature booths filled with Christmas decorations and other items for sale from local vendors. T-shirts will be for sale for $10.

The Christmas parade will begin at 1 p.m., beginning and ending at the Community Center. Santa will be available for pictures with the good boys and girls in attendance.

For more information or to participate in the parade call (318) 922-3111.

 

10 a.m.- Mansura Christmas Parade

The Town of Mansura will hold its annual Christmas parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday (Dec. 3). The parade line up will begin at 9 a.m. The route will begin on L’Eglise Street and travel to the Cochon de Lait Center. There is no entry fee to participate. For more information call (318) 964-2152.

 

4 p.m. Bunkie Christmas Parade

The annual Bunkie Rotary Club Christmas Parade will be at 4 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 3). A fireworks show will start at 6 p.m. in front of Vaughn Motors.

The parade will begin at Church Street with line-up in the Capital One Bank parking lot. It will travel down Church Street then turn on U.S. Hwy 71 and continue down Main Street to Shirley Road and end at the old Winn Dixie parking lot. There will be no judging this year. Citizens are encouraged to participate and enjoy the event. 

For more information or if interested in participating contact Bunkie Chamber of Commerce at (318) 346-2575.

 

2 p.m. Moreauville Christmas in the Park

The village of Moreauville will hold “Christmas in the Park”, beginning at 2 p.m. next Sunday (Dec. 4). Booths will be open around the Moreauville Walking Track and Santa will be available for pictures with the children. 

The annual parade will begin at 3 p.m. The route will begin at the Union Bank on La. Hwy 1, travel down Bayou des Glaises Street, turn at the village hall on Main St. and end at Avoyelles High School.

At dusk, cookies and hot chocolate will be served while the village Christmas tree is lit. The village invites area school bands and choirs to come out and participate in the parade and perform in the park. There will be a fireworks display at dark.

Visitors who bring one unwrapped toy or pair of new shoes will be entered into a door prize raffle. All donated items will be given to the Avoyelles Parish CASA , a private non-profit organization aiding foster children in the parish. 

For more information on setting up a booth, participating in the parade or on the event, contact the Moreauville Village Hall at (318) 985-2338 or  (318) 305-3375.