As the Bayou Gauche community mourns the death of resident Bart Dufrene Jr., who was killed Monday in an a boat crash on Bayou Des Allemands, its annual Christmas on the Bayou Boat Parade has been rescheduled to Dec. 10.
The event was initially scheduled Saturday evening, but was pushed back a week out of respect to those grieving. Many in the community will gather at the parade next week to celebrate the holiday season with more than a touch of their hometown flavor.
The Christmas on the Bayou Parade will celebrate its 20th anniversary when it kicks off at 5:30 p.m. next week with a fleet of Christmas-decorated boats taking off from the Bayou Gauche Pumping Station.
Float riders will throw beads and candy to the assembled crowd enjoying some Christmas fun.
The family-oriented event was created in 2000 and features boats transformed into floats, with people from throughout St. Charles Parish participating. There is no fee to participate.
“It wasn’t as big in the beginning, but more and more people have come out to see it,” said parade organizer Loretta Matherne. “I think people really like hanging out with one another and seeing the decorations.”
Traditionally, the best decorated floats can win cash prizes for first, second and third place winners.
But because a winner last year, Kendall Stall, donated his prize money back to go into the pot for this year’s event, additional prizes will be given for fourth and fifth place. Attempting to decorate the best boat becomes a fun exercise — and the results have also escalated over the years as result of the friendly competition. Bright, festive Christmas lights and inflatables depicting figures like Santa Claus and Rudolph have adorned the boats over the years.
“When you see all the boats lined up, one behind the other, it’s a really pretty sight,” Matherne said. “There are so many people out there on the Bayou to see them go by … it’s just a different thing. You don’t see it elsewhere and everyone has fun with it.
“It’s a nice event for families to spend some time together. Really, more than anything, it’s for the kids to enjoy.”The boats will line up at the pumping station between 4:30 and 5 p.m. before the launch at 5:30 p.m.
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