The New Iberia Christmas Parade King, Queen and Grand Marshal were announced this week with the named honorees leading this year’s parade that takes place on Dec. 14. 

Will Grubbs Jr. was named as this year’s Christmas King. Although not a New Iberia native, Grubbs has been a New Iberia resident since 1986 when he started his employment at Haik and Minvielle and has enjoyed life here ever since. 

He and his wife Patricia Ann Moresi (who was raised in Jeanerette) had no clue they would be spending the rest of their lives in “Da Berry,” but Grubbs said “God is good like that.”

Grubbs is the father of Matthew Landry, Alexandra Grubbs Northcutt and Samantha Grubbs Valverde. They have five grandchildren; Julia, Andre, Archie, Frederick and Bennett. 

In addition to his law practice, Grubbs has been active in the local community through Highland Baptist Church, Gideons International, Rotary International, the Iberia Performing Arts League and occasional Santa gigs. 

Helen Holleman Bayard was chosen as this year’s Christmas Queen, and is the oldest daughter of Vicki Duplantis and Thomas Holleman III. She works full-time at her parents business, Louisiana Medical Supply. 

She met her husband, 2019 Christmas King Jason Bayard, at a local nursing home when they were both paramedics. She is mother to three boys; Noah, Behr and Fox, and is also the godmother of her brother Thomas’ daughter GIanna Holleman.

Bayard is a 1996 graduate of Catholic High School where she served as homecoming queen. She graduated from USL with a degree in emergency medical health science. 

Along with her husband, she has won multiple awards and contests for home decorating. 

“I am honored to be chosen as the 47th Christmas Queen,” Bayard said. “It means so much to me to be a part of this wonderful tradition especially because I will also be 47 this year. I was born and raised here. I will never leave New Iberia, will always defend it and strive to make it even better.”

Serving as grand marshal will be Denise Hebert. Hebert is married to Cory Hebert, owner of R&R Glass Works. She has two children and four grandchildren with another on the way. Hebert is the owner of The Blue Butterfly Boutique Gift Store for the last 10 years and recently opened Serendipity Blue Boutique in September. 

Hebert hosts an annual benefit, Butterflies on the Bayou, where butterflies are released in honor or memory of loved ones to support the Unexpected Pregnancy Center. 

“I love our beautiful downtown and hope to continue to be a part of keeping it a place of destination for our local community as well as for tourists who visit our wonderful town,” Hebert said.