City gets into ‘the spirit’

Smiling faces, art, goodies and even a serenade for Santa were just some of the highlights of Christmas in Crowley 2013: A Holiday Affair.

Needless to say, if Crowley was trying to get people in the holiday spirit and wanted to show off its lights and Christmas cheer downtown, it succeeded Wednesday night at the annual Christmas season kickoff.

Now in its fifth year, the event continues to bring in choirs, civic organizations, schools, businesses and more to entertain the many who attend.

“From A to Z — that’s the Art Gallery to Zeus — with The Grinch in between, we had everything,” said Charlotte Jeffers, Crowley tourism coordinator. “The children were fabulous. We had a good crowd. Everywhere I went there were crowds.”

This year, the event once again was held in historic downtown Crowley along North Parkerson Avenue and Jeffers is ecstatic the weather held out for the event.

“The weather was not too hot, not too cold,” she said. “Knock on wood, it hasn’t rained on us, I really hope that luck continues. The weather always seems to work out for us.”

Not only did Christmas in Crowley 2013: A Holiday Affair bring out Crowley residents and visitors, but city dignitaries like Mayor Greg Jones, several city council members and more were also on hand to join in on the holiday fun. Even members of the Rice Festival presidential party were on hand.

A stroll down Parkerson for Christmas in Crowley 2013: A Holiday Affair provided those attending more than just a light show and a few Christmas carols.

“The lights were bright and blinking; we had little queens to big queens and the story time was a big hit; Santa was busy and everywhere it seems.

“It’s not a long time — 6 to 8 — but it’s just enough time. The kids have school the next morning, you have to get back to work the next day; so it’s just enough time to relax with the kids.”

Heading north in the 200 block was The Gallery, which not only hosted its own “Art of Christmas” event, which gave children the chance to make ornaments and Christmas cards for troops, but the First Church of the Nazarene Choir also performed in front of The Gallery. 

Also in the front of The Gallery was the Solitic Club offering reindeer food and selling tickets to its fundraiser, Jingle Bell Noel.

Crossing onto the 300 block, more activities and participants popped up. On one side of the street was the St. Michael School Choir in front of the Bank of Acadia Building, not far down, in front of R & B Pawn Shop, the Pentecostals of Crowley Choir also performed.

Still farther down on the block, at the Rice Theatre, Santa posed for pictures with and offered candy canes to children. He, as well as the city, also presented children with coloring sheets and special paper to write letters to Santa.

On the other side of Parkerson, Met Life hosted the Women Resting in God organization to sell hot cocoa. The  First Methodist Church Choir also performed there.

Later, the Mire Elementary School Band performed a mini Christmas concert.

Just across the street, at Kim Hayes’ corner in the 400 block, First Presbyterian Church’s youth group presented “The Nativity Comes to Life.” Down the road, also on the east side of Parkerson, Joppe Courtyard Café collected for the Toys for Tots program.

Next door, Redemptorist Catholic’s choir and bell choir each performed at Mitchell’s Courtyard.

Across North Parkerson Avenue, on the west side, Germillion’s hosed Holy Temple Church of Deliverance Choir. Modern Music not only presented its own “Musically Colored Christmas,” but a performance by St. Joseph Baptist Church’s praise dance team.

City Hall was also once again bustling inside and out. Outside, one of the two focal points of the city’s light show shined brightly and twinkled to Christmas classics new and old.

Inside, the ASSIST Agency held a Fleur de Lis silent auction fundraiser and Crowley Middle School eighth grade art students’ 2014 calendars were on sale in City Hall while Teen Miss Crowley, Junior Miss Crowley and the 77th International Rice Festival Queen were on hand to greet eager kids and read them Christmas classics.

Again, the city offered children coloring sheets and special “Letters to Santa” paper to take home.

On the 500 block, west side, the Grand Opera House of the South hosted Parkerson Avenue Baptist Church for a fundraiser as well as the church’s bell choir and choir. 

Across the street, Girls Scouts Troop No. 2016 and Cub Scouts Pack 347 were both on hand in front of Zeus’. The Girls Scouts had a decorate sugar cookies activity and, with the help of Teacher’s Pet, offered the chance to create greeting cards for troops around the world.

The Cub Scouts, meanwhile had a “Popcorn Christmas” fundraiser.