By Kimberly Hopson
L’Observateur

DESTREHAN – The German Coast Farmers’ Market held its seventh annual Kid Krewe du Market parade on Saturday in Destrehan. The miniature Mardi Gras parade allows children up to age 10 to be pulled through the center of the market in colorful wagons decorated to match their chosen theme. The sunny weather and warm breezes drew a total of 10 participants for this year’s event.
The parade featured several interesting themes such as “Spiderman and Mardi Gras.” 9-year-old Nicole Hue of Des Allemandes led the parade as queen for her second consecutive year, throwing out beads and trinkets to the excited crowd along the way. The first place prize went to infant Abigayle Torres in her “Baby’s 1st Mardi Gras”-themed float. Kaylee McGilton, 4, and Alanis Stoner, 6, took second place for their “Laissez Bon Temps Rouler” wagon.
Anne Montgomery, marketing director for the German Coast Farmers’ Market, said she’s happy for such wonderful weather. In years past, Montgomery said that the organizers of the market had put a lot of work into making the parade happen, only to get a storm the night before, leading to low participation.
“Our first parade was really a great success — this one is probably second in line. When it’s freezing cold or rainy, who wants to bring their baby and little ones out in the nastiness? Today we were blessed. Maybe it’s Super Bowl weekend that’s helping us,” she said.
“We’ve been doing this little parade for six years, and we were blessed today with the best weather ever. The parade helps to draw people that may never have made it out to the market. It’s a draw for them whether they come as a participant, as part of the crowd or if it’s to give their child a chance to be in parade at very minimal cost and effort. I think it’s just a lot of fun,” she said.
The German Coast Famers’ Market is open for business every Saturday at 8 a.m. at Ormond Plantation.