Christmas Stroll Thursday in Abbeville

Downtown Abbeville will be alive this evening with the sounds and sights of Christmas.
That old holiday feeling will take over the area thanks to the city’s Annual Christmas Stroll. The event is set for 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
“It captures the true spirit of a small-town holiday,” Abbeville Main Street Manager Charlene Beckett said. “You get to listen to the music and walk around like an old-fashioned Christmas.”
Those who attend the stroll can enter to win a gift basket. The prize includes various gifts donated by merchants in the downtown area. Cards will be given at the stops along the stroll. The cards can also be obtained from tour guides along the route. The guides will be wearing red hats. More than 440 visitors returned cards last year.
“The baskets are always very popular,” Beckett said.
Along with the opportunity to go home with a prize, there will be plenty of ideas for gift shopping. Merchants will open their decorated doors to show what downtown Abbeville has to offer.
“The Christmas Stroll really kicks off the buying season for our businesses,” Abbeville Mayor Mark Piazza said. “For many in Abbeville it’s a starting point to get their Christmas shopping done.”
In all, the event allows “strollers” the opportunity to simply enjoy the Christmas spirit in a setting seemingly made for this time of year.
“It’s a great community event,” Piazza said. “The Christmas lighting downtown is a big part of it.
“It really showcases the beauty of our downtown.”
Sold in correlation with the Christmas Stroll, the annual Christmas Ornament showcases historic buildings in Abbeville.
“This is the 11th ornament we have done,” Beckett said. “Some people will give the (St Mary Magdalen Catholic) church one as wedding gifts. Some people give the whole set as gifts.”
This year’s ornament features the Vermilion Parish School Board Building. The ornament is $16 and can be purchased at the Depot at Magdalen Place, Piazza’s Office Supply and at Abbeville City Hall.
“We’re excited about it,” Beckett said. “It is really a nice-looking ornament.
“It’s such a good collector’s item.”