Christmas Parade

All day long Saturday, downtown New Iberia will be transformed into a Christmas wonderland. 

Long before the annual parade and long before the lighting of the tree in front of New Iberia City Hall, those lucky enough to have already nabbed a ticket to the sold-out Pancakes and Pajamas event will be dining in their coziest digs with Santa Claus at the Sliman Theater. The Christmas-themed breakfast runs from 8 to 11 a.m. 

The event features face painting and a picture with Santa, said Jenny Toups, treasurer of the Downtown Business Association, the group responsible for the events.

“And the breakfast is co-sponsored by Larry Miller,” the local McDonald’s franchisee, she said. “We’re going to have pancakes and sausage donated by Larry, from McDonald’s, and there will be some McDonald’s characters there, too.”

The Shadows-on-the-Teche has scheduled a Christmas Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets to the fair, which are $5 each, include admission into the historic home, which is decorated in period-specific Christmas decor. 

At 5:30 p.m., in front of city hall, New Iberia Mayor Freddie DeCourt will light the city’s Christmas Tree. Toups said the Christmas tree lighting ceremony will include a performance by the Jeanerette Senior High band and a word from the mayor. 

It all culminates with the nine-float Christmas Parade through downtown New Iberia, featuring Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and Mr. and Mrs. Freddie DeCourt as the parade king and queen. 

If Saturday is too far away, the Christmas spirit begins tonight, with Southern Sleigh rides — a horse and carriage trip — leaving from the Shadows and heading down Main Street, where Christmas carolers will be celebrating, and where Phanat Xanamane will be cutting the ribbon on his “Window Wonderland” displays.