[StBernard] 2009 St. Bernard Christmas Parade

[Westley Annis]

Santa Claus is coming to "downtown" St. Bernard Saturday, December 5th!

Join us for the kickoff of the 2009 holiday season as the 2009 Celebrate St.
Bernard Tourism Christmas Parade rolls up Judge Perez from Chalmette High
School to the Fredrick J. Sigur Civic Auditorium Saturday, December 5th at
3:00pm.  The parade route will take the west bound lane of Judge Perez Dr.
from Palmisano Blvd. to Jean Lafitte Pkwy.

Led by the Chalmette High School Fighting Owl Band, Charmers, Flag Team and
ROTC, this 25 unit parade will include the Shriners, Zephyrs' Boudreaux,
Ronald Mc Donald, Sheriff's Mc Gruff & DARE mascots, Fire Department &
"Sparky" & OEP vehicles, historic re-enactors from the National Park
Service, Chalmette High School Islenos Ambassadors, horse riders, Gulf
Coast's Trolley, Nunez SGA float, St. Bernard Parish Government Christmas
All Year Long employees, Iselnos, Crawfish and Tomato festival queens. Santa
and Mrs. Claus joined by local elves will end the parade on a holiday float.


Dress your children festively and wait along the parade route for holiday
throws such as cups, beads, candy canes, stuffed animals and t-shirts.
Children's characters will be seen throughout the parade so have your
cameras ready.  Please encourage your child to write a letter to Santa to
hand to Santa's elves as the last float goes by. 

 

Immediately following the parade from 5:00-7:00pm, the Community Playground
Project will host a Christmas party at Torres Park.  A community Christmas
tree will be lit by parish government officials at the entrance to the
playground.  Caroling in the amphitheatre will follow with sing-a-long
songbooks.  Children can also visit with Santa in his sleigh for a photo.
(You must bring your own camera.)  Cookie decorating, hot chocolate and
craft activities will be available. The Tourist Commission will sell pizza
for $1 per slice and water will be on sale for $1.  Celebrate St. Bernard
will sell commemorative ornaments for $10 and sets of dinner glasses for
$25.

Though the weather outside may be frightful or delightful the 2009 Christmas
Parade Committee is working to re-establish this pre-Katrina tradition as a
local treat for our St. Bernard children and families.  Join your neighbors
along the parade route for this holiday season kick-off.

Special thanks to our partners, St. Bernard Parish Government, St. Bernard
Parish Sheriff's Office. St. Bernard Parish Schools, Murphy Oil, Chalmette
Refining, Domino Pizza, Cantrell Floats, Kiwanis, Rotary, Gulf Coast Bank,
Nunez Community College and Neighborhood Organizations.

 For more information call the St. Bernard Tourism Office at 278-4242.  (No
vendors or aditional parade units are needed.)