‘Breakfast With Santa’, Rayne Christmas Parade nears

As Christmas nears and holiday programs begin, the third annual “Breakfast With Santa” will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Rayne Civic Center.
The City of Rayne, the Ronald Stutes family and a host of community volunteers have joined forces once again to provide this special holiday event for the children of Rayne.
The event will be free for children from throughout the community; however, due to limited space, only 400 tickets will be available, according to Mayor Charles “Chuck” Robichaux.
The children-only breakfast will be served at 9 a.m. at the Civic Center with events concluding at noon.
After breakfast, youngsters can have fun by making an ornament, listen to Christmas stories, play a variety of games and make reindeer food.
Little ones can also write a letter to Santa or play in the “snow” while making memories to last a lifetime.
Tickets are available at City Hall on a first come, first serve basis. Only five children tickets per family will be dispensed.
Christmas Parade
The City of Rayne will be one of the first in Acadiana to begin the holiday season by holding its annual Christmas Parade on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m.
The Christmas Parade will again see beautiful floats, along the decorated boulevard and Depot Square.
Floats this year will feature the Mayor and city officials, city royalty, students from local schools, Little Miss Merry Christmas and Master Noel royalty and contestants, and the big jolly man himself, Santa Claus.
Leading the parade in her place of honor will be 2019 Miss Rayne Kailey Hollier.
Parade lineup will be on Gossen Memorial Drive (the street leading to the Civic Center) and those interested in participating should begin arriving after 5 p.m. Incoming traffic will be routed north on Section Street, around the City Barn to the Civic Center or the parade lineup depending on the purpose of each vehicle. Outgoing traffic will be routed in front of the Civic Center and around Armstrong School. There are no fees to enter parade. You may call (334-3121) or stop by City Hall to register.
There will be no four-wheelers allowed in the parade with the exception of police and/or parade personnel.
The parade route will follow the Boulevard and disembark at the American Legion Parking Lot or the City of Rayne Power Plant parking lot, at which time all are invited to walk a block back to the Rayne Depot Square.
There will be a Mayor’s Award Trophy awarded to the best decorated unit in this year’s parade and the winner will be announced after the parade from the Depot Square platform.
Once at the Depot Square, Santa will be available until 8 p.m. for visitation, wish list requests and photos with the little ones (and not so little ones). Letters for Santa will be able to deposit their letters to Santa in a specially marked Santa’s mailbox.
The Christmas Parade and visits with Santa activities have become an annual event celebrating the holidays as the streets of Rayne glitter and glow.
Anyone needing further information can contact Suzette Leonards at 334-6682, via email at Suzette.leonards@rayne.org or stop by Rayne City Hall.