Cajun Navy joining Norco Christmas Parade

Published 12:01 am Saturday, November 25, 2017

NORCO — They came together to help flood victims; now the members of the Cajun Navy are coming together to help usher in the Christmas season in the River Parishes.

The volunteer group of Louisiana boat owners will join the Norco Christmas Parade on its annual roll at 2 p.m. Dec. 3 with the theme, Norco Noel: Santa Salutes our First Responders.

More than 70 floats, trucks, antique cars, marching groups, horse riders, pageant queens, bands and dance troops are expected to participate in the parade, which will travel east on River Road, turn north on Good Hope Street, turn west on Sixth Street then south on Apple Street before disbanding at River Road.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by helicopter on the Mississippi River levee near Washington Avenue, shortly before 2 p.m.

Following the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for free photos with children at the community Christmas Tree on Apple Street.

The family-friendly event was a River Parishes staple in the 1970s before being disbanded.

A group of local citizens, including Norco native Stephen Weber, helped revive the parade in 2001.

Before the 2016 parade was rained out, the Norco Christmas Parade had rolled every year except 2005 following Hurricane Katrina, with nods to veterans, Christmas movies, music, River Parishes traditions, elections and the Super Bowl.

Anyone interested in participating in the parade may visit norconoel.com to download and print an entry form, which must be returned by Nov. 21. The entry fee is $50.

For more information call Marty Luquet or Lori Lyons at 985-764-2808 or Stephen Weber at 985-764-9424, email norcoparade@aol.com or visit norconoel.com.