‘Throw me something, Santa’

The time is right for all children who have been procrastinating and need to get those last-minute Christmas list details to the man. In the first weeks of December, Santa will be making several last minute stops of his own.

If there is a parade in the Tri-parishes, he will be there. No matter if it’s by boat or float, he and Mrs. Claus will make numerous appearances n appearances that no other kid in the world could experience.

His first stop: Le Petit Caillou Bayou, on Dec. 2, where he will float down greeting well-behaved children by throwing prizes and candy. And just because Santa wants to stress that Christmas is not just for the kids, grown-ups could catch fishing tackle.

Houston Foret, a Chauvin resident, has been providing Santa with a decked-out ride for nearly 20 years, taking over Santa on the Bayou parade after Johnny Glover, who started the tradition, stepped down.

“I’ve been in the shrimping business all my life and dealt with the people on the bayou. This is my chance to say thanks for all the business I have on the bayou,” said Foret.

Each year, water patrol escorts the holiday-dazzled watercraft, blowing their sirens.

“Everybody hears those sirens and come running to the bayou to watch,” Foret said. “Sometimes I have people come up to me and to say hello and tell me how they still have the stuffed animal they got from Santa on the bayou when they were a kid. And now their kids enjoy the parade. That’s really a neat thing.”

Santa starts his journey promptly at 10 a.m. in Chauvin at St. Joseph’s Church and will travel three to four hours downstream to Cocodrie, unwinding before his next visit.

The big guy will pay a visit to Morgan City at its Christmas Festival and Parade. Set for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., the family-oriented holiday celebration also includes a 5K run/walk, children’s activities, a lighting ceremony, plenty of shopping, an art show and inviting food booths.

The parade kicks off at 2 p.m. on Onstead Street, traveling its traditional route, disbanding at Lawrence Park.

Then it’s off to Lockport for the city’s Christmas Parade, which starts at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. A family-oriented event, the parade begins on Church and 9th streets and winds around town before disbanding at Canal and 8th streets.

Unfortunately, the guy in the big red suit won’t have time to sit down one-on-one, to talk about gifts, but will do so after the 2006 Thibodaux Christmas Parade, held by the Chamber of Commerce on Sunday.

Santa will ride throughout Thibodaux, leaving Nichols Stadium at 3 p.m., snaking down Audubon Avenue to Menard Street and then up to Canal Boulevard, and will stop downtown at the Courthouse specifically for gift requests and a photo opportunity. Mrs. Claus will make this trip to visit with Tri-parish kids.

Diverse groups and organization join the parade each year, from performing dance groups to Cub Scouts to college students n dressed from head-to-toe as reindeer.

The Clauses won’t forget the children in bordering Terrebonne Parish, planning a meet-and-greet after traveling down Main Street in downtown Houma during the Once Upon a Cajun Christmas Parade on Dec. 8.

Ann Picou, Houma Main Street manager, said starting at 7 p.m. Santa will ride in a 20 nfloat parade along Main Street and will stop at the downtown court square, decorated to the maximum for the holiday season.

“When the previous administration was trying to name the parade four years ago, the parish president held a coloring contest for kids to come up with a name. Being that we’re in south Louisiana and with Cajun roots, that was the best fit, “ said Picou.

On Dec. 16, watch for Santa at the Children’s Christmas Parade in Grand Caillou. The fun starts at Bobtown Fire Station at noon . It makes its way down Grand Caillou Road to Buquet Bridge, turns on Shrimper’s Row and then heads to Bobtown Bridge where it will disband.

On his way out of the Tri-parishes on Dec. 16, with many children left to see, the Bourg Fire Station will have a grand send off for “Papa Noel” in the Ala Bayou Terrebonne Christmas Boat Parade.

Around dusk, Santa will board a boat in Bourg and join other residents with decorated watercraft down Terrebonne Bayou, one mile past Sacred Heart Church in Montegut.

On average 15-20 boats, complete with lighted displays, journey in a holiday celebration unlike any other tradition.

“As far as riding on the bayou, it’s really neat to see bonfires and see families gather in their backyards and watching. And watching from the boat is fun, because some bayou-sides are decorated, too,” said Denise Belanger, wife of Mark Belanger, who have participated in the Christmas boat parade for 10 years.

“You can’t find a parade like this anywhere,” said Belanger.

‘Throw me something, Santa’