JFA to hold Christmas parade, accepting applications for floats

The Jambalaya Festival Association has announced the theme for the 2011 Ascension JFA Christmas Parade on?Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m., “The Gifts of Christmas.”

The Christmas parade is an event for local businesses, schools, and organizations to showcase their Christmas spirit.

The JFA is honored to be able to host the parade this year as well as EATEL as they are the corporate sponsor. With the continued growth, we would like to especially recognize the support and involvement of the Gonzales Police Department, the City of Gonzales, and The Ascension Parish Sheriffs Office.

JFA looks forward to seeing all their regular participants, as well as many of the new businesses, church groups, families and non profit organizations in the parish to participate in this great family event.

Parade entries are confined to marching groups (school affiliated bands, dance groups and cheerleading squads only), individual cars carrying dignitaries, and floats decorated within the limits of the theme. Due to the growth of our parade vehicles, such as motorcycles, go-carts, mud trucks, and low-riders will not be allowed.

The parade route will roll east on Worthey to Burnside, then North on Burnside to the Mall on Burnside Shopping Center where the parade will dismantle.

No parking will be allowed on either side of Worthey Road and the corner of Highway 44 and Worthey will again be barricaded to allow vehicles a clear path of procession. All floats and marching groups will be required to have at least our adult marshals.

Line up begins at 10 a.m. (no one will be allowed on parade campus before 10 a.m.) and all float entries should be in place by noon for judging. Each entry is judged in four categories: Overall Appearance, Use of theme, Creativity/Originality and Effort.  

As this is a family event for the community, alcohol is strictly prohibited.

If you would like to participate in this year’s parade or have any questions about the parade, you can visit the Jambalaya’s Web site www.jambalayafestival.org or contact Fran Baker at 931-7709.

Participants should register before Thursday, Nov. 25 to avoid a $50 late fee.  No Registrations will be accepted after Friday, Dec. 2.