Abbeville events to help kick off Christmas season

Looking for a way to get right into to the Christmas spirit? The downtown Abbeville area will offer plenty beginning later this week.
Abbeville’s Annual Christmas Stroll, Christmas Parade and Downtown Abbeville Farmers’ Market will each help ring in the holidays. The Stroll is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 5 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The parade will roll at 6 p.m. on Saturday. The Christmas Market will be earlier on Saturday, opening from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Christmas Stroll will kick things off on Thursday in Historic Downtown Abbeville. Merchants in the area will open their doors to showcase holiday shopping.
“It captures the true spirit of a small-town holiday,” Abbeville Main Street Manager Charlene Beckett said.
The excitement is already there.
“The community has been so supportive,” Beckett said. “We have had so many people donate items for the gift basket.
“People are ready for it.”
The basket will be given away at the end of the night. Those attending the stroll will be given cards that will be punched at the various stops along the Stroll. Visitors can pick the cards up at the stores. Volunteer guides, who will be wearing red hats, will also have cards.
The competition for the baskets will be heavy. That will at least be the case if last year is any indication. More than 440 people dropped off cards, around 100 more than did so in 2011.
“It was a our biggest year last year,” Beckett said. “We are anticipating it to be a repeat.”
The event is made possible by the help of several sponsors. That includes a grant from Vermilion Parish Tourist Commission.
“We want to thank them for their generosity,” Beckett said.
It all adds up to a great way to start the season.
“It’s always fun,” Beckett said. “You get to listen to the music and walk around like an old-fashioned Christmas.”
Parades capture that old feel, too.
The Christmas Parade, presented by the Louisiana Cattle Festival Association, will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday. It will take the old parade route, which begins near the railroad tracks on State Street. Kids will have an opportunity to take pictures with Santa Claus at the Gazebo in Magdalen Square following the parade.
Magdalen Square will have already seen plenty of Christmas activity by that time.
The Downtown Farmers’ Market, which will be the last until the spring season, will be open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Market Manager Debbie Garrot said there will be plenty of unique gift options.
“What better gift than a basket filled with homemade items,” Garrot said.
Among those items that will be available Saturday will be homemade jams, jellies, cookies, tarts, breads, fudge, and wines, among other edible options.
“We will also have pieces of special jewelry, warm hats and scarves and a beautiful painting to give as heartfelt gifts to someone special,” Garrot said. “Our vendors have worked diligently to provide an array of choices for your shopping.”
Garrot said she is pleased that the market can offer that shopping experience in correlation with everything related to Christmas happening in Downtown Abbeville.
“Our Farmers’ Market is thrilled to join Christmas Stroll and Christmas Parade,” Garrot said. “It is nice for everyone to be able to come together to celebrate the beginning of the Holiday Season.”