Photos from the first ever Merry & Bright Christmas in Downtown
Christmas in Downtown Lafayette was extra special in 2019. The efforts of Downtown Lafayette Unlimited and almost 100 different businesses, organizations, artists, and volunteers combined to create the first-ever Merry & Bright Christmas in Downtown. Visitors to the city center were greeted with lights, decorations and window displays throughout the month of December, and Parc International was converted into a winter wonderland—complete with a giant walkthrough ornament, a 25 foot-tall Christmas tree, and over 50 live Christmas trees decorated by various businesses and organizations.
The decorative elements set the scene for a variety of events like the Christmas with the Boss concert, the annual Sonic Christmas Parade, a Christmas tree decorating contest, a special Christmas ArtWalk, and a night of song and storytelling at the Downtown Candlelight Christmas. Each of these events brought friends, families, and neighbors together to celebrate the holiday season and to experience the wonder and joy that comes from seeing Downtown transformed into a winter village.
Christmas with the Boss
The Christmas with the Boss concert, featuring performances by Keith Frank and the Pine Leaf Boys was the kick-off event that started the season. The free concert brought thousands of music lovers, dancers, and Downtown party people together for the Official Lighting of the Christmas tree with newly-elected Lafayette Mayor-President, Josh Guillory. After the tree was lit, concertgoers danced in the snow to favorite Christmas tunes, and hits from Keith Frank and the Pine Leaf Boys.
All photos by Paul Kieu Photography. Click to expand.
Christmas Tree Extravaganza
The Christmas Tree Extravaganza was a tree decorating contest held at Parc International in Downtown Lafayette. Over 50 businesses and organizations gathered to decorate real Christmas trees in a friendly competition for “Best Christmas Tree in Acadiana.” The level of creativity and effort in the decorations was truly outstanding and the trees were displayed for the entire month of December, and passers by could vote online by scanning a QR code on each tree.
Each of the trees was uniquely beautiful and eye catching, but in the end, it was St. Pierre’s Center for the Arts who won the competition for best tree. We look forward to seeing the entries in next year’s competition.
Photos by Stacey Rae Photography. Click to expand.
Sonic Christmas Parade
The Sonic Christmas Parade is Lafayette’s annual Christmas parade, marking the official arrival of Santa in Lafayette. The big man pulls out all the stops when he visits Lafayette, with a train of floats, high school marching bands, dance teams, and crowds of admirers.
Photos by the Freelance Cajun, Jo Vidrine.
Downtown Candlelight Christmas
Downtown Candlelight Christmas is a night of storytelling and song presented by Downtown Lafayette and the United Methodist Church of Lafayette. This family-friendly event brought hundreds to Parc International to hear the narrated story of a Savior born to a virgin in Bethlehem, interspersed with the singing of traditional Christmas carols led by a talented group of local musicians.
Photos by Stacey Rae Photography. Click to expand.
Merry & Bright Finale | Elf Movie Night
The final night of the Merry & Bright Christmas in Downtown began with awards for the winners of the Window Wonderland and Christmas Tree Extravaganza contests. Of the 40 businesses participating in the Window Wonderland the winners were Legend’s Downtown (Judge’s Award) and Refinery Salon (People’s Choice). Deuxième Vie Creative and Mon Rêve Salon were also awarded prizes as Downtown Staff Picks.
Photos by Jessica Harrington (@jessxharrington) of Right Angle Advertising. Click to expand.
