Holiday festivities kickoff Saturday in Lake Arthur with the sights and sounds of Christmas in the Park.

The festival includes a parade, Christmas decorations display, live music, a gumbo cookoff and fireworks.

The day kickoff with a chicken and sausage gumbo cookoff, sponsored by the Lake Arthur High School Varsity Club.

Set up begins at 8 a.m with cooking underway by noon. Judging begins at 4 p.m. Bowls of gumbo will be served to the public beginning at 5 p.m.

Dusty Simon will perform 4-6 p.m. outside of the park to get everyone in the festive spirit.

The Christmas Parade begins at 6 p.m. at the corner of Fourth Street and Arthur Avenue, and travels along Arthur Avenue toward the lake.

Santa will be available after the parade for pictures.

The evening will conclude with a fireworks display over the lake at 6:45 p.m..

Barbecue burgers, chips and cold drinks will be sold.

Other activities include the annual Hall of Trees at the Town Hall. The free display of decorated Christmas trees, music boxes and other holiday decorations is open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays through the end of December.

“We want the public to come out and see all the hard work our volunteers have put into the display,” organizer Sherry Womack said. “We hope to see the excitement on all the kids’ faces”

This year’s display includes a Disney theme with Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck and Pluto in the snow with lighted fireworks in the background. The display also includes a train running around the Christmas tree with a video of “Mickey’s Christmas” playing.

There is also a Cinderella tree, Lady Tiger basketball tree, crawfish tree and peacock tree

The decorations were created by area businesses, clubs, school organizations, classes, families and individuals.

For more information on the events, contact the Town Hall at 337-774-2211. For information on the gumbo cookoff contact Julia at 337-368-4282 or Mekeysha at 573-201-4310.