December 10, 2016, Santa Clause was in Lafayette for the first ever Christmas in the Park at Moncus Park . Those who went to the event said were in the holiday spirit, despite the cold weather. “We typically come to anything I can bring my dogs to. We love the cold and she has long hair so we kind of come to cold events,” said Victoria Simar, Rayne resident.

While admission was free, organizers simply asked for toy donations. However, organizers said the money they did make is all going towards construction on the new Lafayette Central Park. Elizabeth Brooks, executive director of Moncus Park, was at Christmas at the Park letting people know all about the new park’s plans. “This master plan actually came out of 30 meetings we had with the public over many many months,” Brooks said. Brooks said the new plan includes a farmers market pavilion, a one-mile running track, a pond, a dog park, tree houses, playhouses and gardens. Event-goers said the Christmas fundraiser was a hit.

“It’s cool to have something with all the Christmas lights and cold weather. It puts you in the Christmas spirit,” Simar said. “Especially the music, it’s really hitting the spot on my Christmas spirit,” said Summer Sonnier, Lafayette resident. Brooks said construction to the Lafayette Central Park begins Spring 2017. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CLIP
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