Christmas Stroll set to kick off season in Abbeville Thursday

While the weather may not make it seem like it, the Christmas season is here.
For Downtown Abbeville, the season will officially kick off Thursday evening with the annual Christmas Stroll.
The annual Christmas Stroll is set for this evening in downtown Abbeville. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. and wrap up at 8 p.m.
“This is a great way to come out and get the Christmas season started,” Abbeville Main Street Manager Charlene Beckett said. “I have had people tell me that this is their favorite event.
“It’s a tradition.”
Along with the City of Abbeville, the event is sponsored by Darnell, Sikes, Gardes & Frederick, Kolder, Champagne, Slaven & Co. and the Rotary Club of Abbeville.
The Vermilion Parish School Board will have students playing music on Concorde Street. Abbeville General will be providing hot chocolate in Magdalen Square. Musical acts will be performing at various stops. Members of the Bayou Blend chorus will also perform.
Downtown businesses that will be taking part in the Stroll include:
Bank of Abbeville
Abbey Players
Abbeville Methodist Church
Black’s
Brasseux’s True Value
Dupuy’s
City of Abbeville
Gulf Coast Bank
La Palmera Spa
Phil’s Boys and Girls Wear
Piazza’s Office Supply
Sam Guarino Blacksmith Shop
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
The Caldwell House
The Depot
“It has really grown in the past couple of years,” Beckett said of the people coming to downtown. “We have a lot of participation and people are still excited about the Stroll after all these years.”
Participating shoppers will be able to enter a drawing for a gift basket give-away at the end of the evening. To be eligible, participants must visit all 15 merchants who are participating as validation stops to get their cards validated. The cards can be obtained at any of the following businesses, from a Volunteer Tour Guide in Magdalen Square. The drawing will take place around 8:10 p.m.
“We invite everyone to come out and enjoy this great event,” Beckett said. “It’s a great time for people to be downtown and getting ready for Christmas.”