Iberia Middle School cheerleaders volunteered and brought extras cheer to the crowd during the Community Christmas Event at the Cyr-Gates Community Center during the Community Christmas Event Sunday afternoon. 

Blessing New Iberia and the city of New Iberia sponsored their first Community Christmas Event at City Park on Sunday.

Holiday revelers of all ages filled the Cyr-Gates Community Center from 1 to 5 p.m. Adults gravitated toward the more than 50 vendors set up to sell wares and services while boys and girls were drawn to the free games, crafts and, of course, Santa Claus.

Brittney Marks, 3, of New Iberia, had her game face on as she concentrated on tossing a fluffy snowball to win a prize.

“It’s nice to get out,” said her mother, Brook Marks.

The games were free, but a system was in place to keep the flow of games and prizes fair.

“When they walked in they got a gift bag with tickets in it to play five games and win five prizes,” BNI member Sonya Depue of New Iberia said. “After their tickets are gone, they just play for free but don’t win prizes.”

A table was set up for children to create Christmas cards to be delivered to emergency first-responders. Children wrote notes and decorated the envelopes with stickers. Lots and lots of stickers.

“The kids are really taking the time to write notes telling them to be safe and they love them,” BNI volunteer Kay Wolf said. “It’s wonderful. Kids are so caring.”

Children waited in line to meet Sparky the Fire Dog.

“I got to see Sparky! To shake his hand!” said an excited Cayden Lancelin of Loreauville.

There was a near-constant line of children waiting to see Santa. Some children were thrilled to meet Santa, and others, well, not so much.

Chloe Mathews, 3, of New Iberia, sat on Santa’s lap with no issues.

Mathews said she told Santa she wants a baby doll she can name “Butterfly” for Christmas.

“It’s going good,” Alan Robin of Loreauville, who played the role of Santa, said. “Kids are asking for bikes, PS4 stations, puppies and kittens.”

Children also registered for drawing for donated toy prizes, of which none were puppies or kittens.

“We wanted to do something for the community, as always. We were getting a lot of requests for help,” said Monica Fontenette, founder and president of BNI, who estimated that at least 200 people attended the event. “The kids can come out, visit with Santa, and play free games. It’s wonderful. The kids’ side is very busy.”

Shoppers were treated to live music by “The Vibes,” and perused tables offering everything from handmade jewelry and soaps to skin care and monogrammed towels. Vendors were asked to make a donation, candy or toys for prizes, to the kids’ side of the event.

“It’s been a community effort,” Wolf said.  “It’s just great.”

Lelia and Ray Schexnider of St. Martinville had a table to sell their “Pennies From Heaven,” upcycled jewelry, created from things like guitar picks, keys, and old spoons.

“I don’t like to throw stuff away,” Lelia Schexnider explained. “I make stuff with it.”

James LeDoux of Kaplan hawked his “Je’s Homemade Wine” while his wife, Patricia, painted faces.

“We enjoy meeting the different people,” Patricia LeDoux said.

Iberia Middle School cheerleaders were on hand to volunteer and to lend an extra dose of “cheer” to the event.

“I like giving back to the community, just seeing them be happy,” said eighth-grade cheerleader Abigail Picard.

“It’s kind of like the last opportunity to do some Christmas shopping while giving back to the kids on New Iberia,” Heather Dominique, superintendent of New Iberia Parks and Recreation said near the conclusion of the event. “I think it went well. I think it was very well-attended. We really enjoyed this.”