Ascension Parish parades march on

• By ROXANNE C. HARE
• Special sections editor
• Published: Jun 14, 2009

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There’s nothing like the “oompa oompa” of a parade to keep the kiddies happy and bring communities together. In Ascension Parish, there are a few that residents look forward to all year long.

Ascension Christmas Parade

One can’t think of Ascension Parish parades without the annual Ascension Christmas Parade in Gonzales coming to mind. On the second Saturday in December, families gather ’round the parade route, waiting for Santa to roll by.

Officials at the Ascension Chamber of Commerce say the parade has been a tradition for more than 20 years and estimate that it draws about 25,000 people.

“We have grown tremendously within the last two or three years,” said Chris Scott, office manager and event coordinator for the Chamber.

She said there are about 130 participants, with about 80 of those being floats, in the family-oriented parade.

“Families come out and cook. They’re out there at 8 in the morning, parking their RVs and cooking,” Scott said.

The parade features local civic groups and bands from the middle and high schools in the parish. Santa is the star.

Also worth mentioning is that some fire stations in the parish organize Santa drive-bys in various neighborhoods. Families know Santa is near when they hear the wailing of the fire truck. Children run out to their driveways – sometimes still in pajamas – to catch a glimpse of Santa riding on top of the vehicle, shouting “Merry Christmas” and throwing candy.

Sorrento Lions Club Boucherie Festival parade

A parade is only part of the festivities at the Boucherie Festival in Sorrento, which takes place in October. Some of the highlights include cracklin’ and jambalaya cooking contests, live music, a pageant, food and rides.

The event has been held in some form or another since the 1960s. But in the late 1970s, Lions Club members made the festival official. The three-day event is held the second weekend of October in Reynolds Lambert Park.

The parade is actually the culmination of a beauty pageant that coincides with the festival. Originally, the pageant included young women, but in 1986 it expanded to include all age groups, including infants. The pageant is held a few weeks before the festival. Many pageant participants ride in the annual parade, which also includes fire and police vehicles, marching bands and a grand marshal.