The 58th annual Hammond Christmas Parade had the theme “A Starry Christmas” and was presented by the Hammond Rotary Club on Dec. 2. The parade was eventually rained out, causing performers and viewers to leave early. 
Regina Pergola/The Lion's Roar

Before the 58th annual Hammond Christmas Parade, there was a safe zone set up by the Pennington for families and kids to enjoy. 

On Dec. 2 before the parade started, the zone was put on by the Tangipahoa Research and Analysis Computing Center. The intent behind “In the Zone” is to provide a drug, tobacco and alcohol free zone in which families with young children can watch parades. From 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., the TRACC had a section of the parade route specifically family friendly. 

TRACC puts on the zone for various holidays throughout the year. 

“Christmas is usually kinda lighter in attendance because it’s colder sometimes,” said Bridget Bailey, community outreach director for Tanigpahoa Parish Government and the liaison between TRACC and the parish government. “We usually have between 250, sometimes 300 people here to come and bring the kids, and hang out. We have hot cocoa and apple cider to keep them warm.”

Different companies and organizations help with the safe zone by entertaining the kids and showcasing their support to the families. 

“The agencies that actually make up our coalition, as far as the actual booths, they’re managing the tables and doing little games and activities for the kids,” said Bailey. “It gives them a chance to learn a little about the agencies and what services they provide to our communities as well and help us to support our mission as having a safe and drug free and alcohol free and tobacco free area for the families to come and watch the parade. The police come and support us as well.”

Paula Zachary is a member of the Louisiana Mothers Against Drunk Driving section to spread awareness of the dangers of drunk driving. 

“I’m part of the coalition, representing Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and I’m here because my son was killed in an alcohol related crash,” said Zachary. “So, I will do anything to bring the awareness out. This is a safe zone for the kids where they can come and they don’t have to worry about alcohol and tobacco.”

Daryl Ferrara, a chairman of the Greater Hammond Chamber of Commerce described the new additions to this parade. 

“We had a bunch of things that were different,” said Ferrara. “We had the Taylor Kitchener band that’s gonna play some Christmas music. We had a juggler and a stilt walker from the Renaissance Festival they let us borrow a couple people like that, so that’s really good.”

A local mother  Candi Puckett and her family were able to enjoy the parade. 

“We come every year,” said Puckett. “So far, the kids are loving it. It’s not overcrowded this year which I like. Last year it was a little overcrowded.”

Unfortunately, while the parade was circling downtown Hammond, it began to rain and the parade was called off. 

The Renaissance Festival fire juggler, Andrew Jamison Lee who is also known as Jamison the Juggler, was also attempting to escape the downpour. 

“It was more scary in the beginning, and we were right behind the float that was making kinda like fake snow, it was like it was really snowing, but it wasn’t,” said Lee. “We were just here walking around promoting the last two weekends of the Renaissance Festival.” 

The parade ended on a wet note, but was initially a success.  

“Well, it started off real fun and ended up real wet,” said a participant in the parade Shelli Button.

As a precursor to the christmas parade, the Tangipahoa  Reshaping Attitudes for Community Change hosted a safe zone event for families to be at a drug, tobacco and alcohol free area to view the parade. 
Regina Pergola/The Lion's Roar

The newly crowned Miss  Southeastern 2017 Kristyn Gary  was a part of the Christmas parade, and threw beads and other throws to the parade audience.
Regina Pergola/The Lion's Roar