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St. Landry Parish kicks off Christmas festivities with Lighting of the Nativity
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OPELOUSAS, La. (KLFY) -- It was a magical evening of holiday cheer as residents in Opelousas welcomed in the Christmas spirit and celebrated in the downtown courthouse square.
“The lighting of the Nativity on the courthouse square in downtown Opelousas, an event that's been going on since approximately the 1940s,” said Robbie Sebastien, a board member with Opelousas Main Street.
“What we have is a beautiful handmade bisque set, which is life-size statues of the nativity. The statues were made in Boston and they were shipped down by train to Opelousas and have been on exhibit all these years. And every Saturday after Thanksgiving, we open up the Nativity with music and a celebration," Sebastien continued.
Sebastien said the event was handled by different groups over the years. One woman went door to door to collect money to buy the statues. The event was later put on by groups such as the Walking Ladies before turning it over to Opelousas Main Street about two years ago.
“This is a good way to open up the holiday season. You know, it brings a little spirit to the community,” he said. “There's so many people that come from out of town for Thanksgiving that look forward to being able to come to just this event because they remember it from their childhood.”
Lance Carriere said it's a tradition for his family to come down for the Lighting of the Nativity and they enjoyed it.
“My favorite thing about this is just seeing the city come together. Just vendors locally that have some stuff to sell. Santa was here, the Grinch was also here that we went to visit. It was a beautiful little thing that they did in Opelousas today,” Carriere said.
There were performances from the Queen of Angels choir, live music, a light show of the Nativity, pictures with Santa, and multiple vendors serving different foods or selling goods, among other things.
The meaning of Christmas is different for many people but Sebastien said it means, “hope and spirit.”
Tim Marks, a vendor who sold gumbo, shared they were raising money for himself and his two daughters to go on a mission trip to Brazil.
“Christmas is my favorite time of the year. The biggest blessing we have is that Jesus Christ was born to deliver us from sin and died to give us everlasting life," Marks said.