ELTON — The Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana will once again join Elton as co-hosts for the fourth annual Christmas parade on Saturday, Dec.  6.

The parade begins at 10 a.m. downtown.

“We are very excited to be joining together once again with the Coushatta Tribe for our fourth annual Christmas Parade,” Elton Mayor Cathy Hollingsworth said.

“The past three years have been such a success, with many parade entries, great crowds and wonderful holiday music. This has become a can’t-miss family event.”

The parade will coincide with the Coushatta Farmers Market, which will be 7:30 a.m.-noon at Koasati Plaza on U.S. 190.

The market will feature fresh produce, food, arts and music.

The parade will include an appearance by Santa Claus and a variety of floats from area organizations. Parade participants will include Baton Rouge Pipes and Drums – a Louisiana based Scottish bagpipe and drum band, area high school marching bands, regional festival queens, and classic cars.

“We’re proud to be a part of this delightful holiday tradition,” Coushatta Tribe Council Member David Sickey said. “Having the parade along with the Coushatta Farmers’ Market makes this an exciting, all-day family event that attracts not only our community members, but people from all around Southwest Louisiana. What a great way to begin the Christmas season.”

The event is free and open to the public.

First-, second- and third-place awards will be handed out for the most festive/creative floats and each parade entry will receive a certificate of participation.

For more information or to register to participate in the parade, contact Shana Harmon of the Coushatta Tribe at 584-1435 or email sharmon@coushattatribela.org, or Shirley Johnson of the town of Elton at 584-2992 or email festusowen@hotmail.com.

For more information about the Coushatta Farmers Market, contact Desiree Duhon at 246-3199 or at imperialcalcasieu@yahoo.com.Members of the Baton Rouge Pipes and Drums