Gail Boudreaux said the 31st Annual Downtown Business Association Christmas Parade, held Monday night in New Iberia, was a bit different than previous years.

“It’s a little colder than it usually is, but it’s nice,” Boudreaux said as she and fellow emcee Pat Murphy awaited the parade at Bouligny Plaza as night fell and the temperature hovered in the middle 40s.

Boudreaux and Murphy have emceed the event for the past 30 years.

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“It’s a great way to get you in the Christmas spirit if you aren’t already,” Boudreaux said.

Kicking off at 6 p.m. near the Main Street branch of the Iberia Parish Public Library, the parade headed through downtown and ended at Jefferson Street. The parade featured 12 floats, all with generators and Christmas lights, eight bands playing Christmas music, and was followed by a fireworks display. Hundreds of parade-watchers lined the streets to take in the event.

Parade chairwoman Jill Champagne said this year’s parade meant more due to the new decorations in downtown New Iberia.

“I think they add more Christmas spirit to the parade,” Champagne said.

The guest of honor, of course, was Santa Claus, who rode in a float sponsored by Soileau’s Pharmacy and the Little River Inn and was set to arrive at the gazebo at Bouligny Plaza to accept children’s wish lists and pass out candy. The Louisiana Kids served hamburgers and gumbo at the parade, and Champagne described it as a “family-type event.”

“It’s our special way of welcoming Santa Claus,” Champagne said.

Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal was grand marshal for the parade, with Doc Voorhies and New Iberia Mayor Hilda Curry as parade king and queen.

Royal Rangers Outpost 84 carried an American Flag in the parade, and the parade was outpost member Jesse Derouen’s second.

“I like it when you get to the pavilion at the plaza and you turn and salute,” Derouen said before the parade began.

Vietnam Veterans of America’s New Iberia Chapter 1001 led the parade.

“I think it’s going to be great,” Chapter Secretary Boyd Yocum said before it started. “It looks like we’ll have a good turnout — not too hot and not too cold.”

Barbara Doiron of New Iberia came out to watch the parade with her grandchildren Kennedy, 5, Alex, 6, and Tanner, 8, hoping to catch a glimpse of her son, Clifford.

“I think he may be in a float,” Doiron said as she waited with her grandchildren on Main Street near Julia Street for the parade to start. “He works for Teche Federal.”

Catholic High School’s Homecoming Court rode in the event in three cars.

“Catholic High wishes New Iberia a very merry Christmas,” Homecoming Queen Adrienne Simon said.