In the River Parishes, it’s considered by many to be the first signal of crossing over from Thanksgiving into the Christmas season.
The Norco Civic Association Christmas Parade is set for Sunday, December 1 – and, as always, the first Sunday following Thanksgiving. This year’s theme is Santa Goes to the Olympics and the plans are for another year of community and family togetherness to ring in the holiday season.
The deadline for entries in this year’s parade is Friday (Nov. 8). Stephen Weber, Norco Civic Association president, said he expects about 10 to 12 floats to be part of the festivities, to go along with several marching groups, a motorcycle riding group, high school and middle school marching bands and horse riders.
“There will be some family floats joining the parade this year as well,” Weber said. “Coming off the Olympic year, we decided to go with it here, and we’re encouraging everyone to build up the theme and remember the theme as we’re getting ready for the parade.”
Weber said the parade turns the page from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
“I believe over the years we’ve established ourselves as the event that ushers in Christmas season here in the River Parishes,” Weber said. “People are calling me now, they call even back in August asking about the parade. I think it does get people into the Christmas spirit early, and I think it brings a lot of people together – not just people from Norco, but also the surrounding communities.”
This year’s Christmas parade will be dedicated to Tim Mayeux, who tragically passed away in April at the age of 59. Since the Christmas parade was resumed in 2001 after several years inactive, the Luling man and helicopter pilot volunteered to fly in Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus for each parade.
“We talked (in 2001) when we were looking into flying Santa in, and he made it happen,” said Weber. “He was great. He never asked for anything, he just wanted to help. There have been some years we couldn’t have the parade, but outside of that he’s been part of this every year.”
Dawn Mayeux and her family will ride as the grand marshals of this year’s Christmas parade.
Primarily sponsored by Shell and Valero, the Christmas parade traditionally runs the first Sunday of every December. It was discontinued after an approximate 30 year run from the 1950s to the 1980s. In 2001, a group of residents, including Weber, revived the event, which has run in all but two years, the exceptions due to weather. Past themes have touched on traditions, paid homage to popular music and movies, honored veterans and highlighted major events like elections and the Super Bowl in the community’s unique way.
There will be music and dance groups at this year’s event as well as four to five school bands. The Master’s Touch Drum Line – founded and directed by Destrehan High alum Calvin Berry – will be part of this year’s parade as well. Also participating as a walking group is Krewe des Fleurs, a costume and performance collective.
The Destrehan High School and Riverside Academy bands have been a part of the march since 2001.
“The Destrehan band has led us off and Riverside has marched in with Santa since we first brought it back,” Weber said. “We’re looking forward to seeing them again.”
Weber said the parade has grown more than he ever could have imagined over the past 20-plus years.
“And the assistance we’ve had from the parish government, the Sheriff’s Office, our Parish President Matt Jewell and the parish council has been more than we ever could have hoped for. We couldn’t do this without the sheriff’s protection, without public works putting out barricades and helping us decorate Norco with those Christmas banners, Christmas lights and our community’s Christmas tree,” Weber said.
Weber added that there will be a nativity scene next to that Christmas tree in the community’s Town Square – as well as a bit of friendly advice to the local youth.
“We need to tell the children to behave themselves so they’re not on the bad list – we don’t want them to get coal for Christmas,” Weber quipped. “Because Santa knows who’s been naughty and who’s been nice along that parade route.”
Anyone interested in joining the parade or helping with the planning may contact Weber at stephenweber61@yahoo.com or call 504-202-5565.
