St. Tammany News

"Compliments of the season."

"You are most kind."

Christmas Past Festival organizers dressed fashionably for the third annual festival held in Old Mandeville. Pictured, from left, are Danna Acker, Karri Blache, Father Christmas and Shirley Patron. (Staff Photo by Jacob Brooks)

"Jolly good."

And, of course: "Bah humbug!"

Those and similar sayings were heard throughout the third annual Christmas Past Festival in Mandeville on Dec. 9.

Although cold weather may have kept some festival goers away, officials said they were pleased with the outcome.

"It worked out good," said Denis Bechac, a city councilman and member of Old Mandeville Business Association, which organized the event. "This was the first year the street was actually closed."

Girod Street was closed to vehicle traffic from noon to 5 p.m. as vendors and artists sold their wares.

At last week's Mandeville City Council meeting, Bechac said about 1,500 to 2,000 people attended the event. And people commented to him that it should remain a tradition, he said.

"The Scrooge shouting contest was a hit," Bechac said. Other highlights included excerpts of "Oliver" played throughout the street, as well as pony rides and marbles. "It's partially a Dickens-era festival," said Bechac.

Tess Dennie, OMBA president and festival co-chair, said a lot of people were impressed by the 19th century-style outfits worn by festival organizers and attendees.

"We had a lot of good responses," she said.

Throughout the day, costumed characters were seen at the festival, including Father Christmas (Santa Claus). Theatrical performances also went on, and menu items of the season were available at area restaurants and cafes. The festival is sponsored by the Old Mandeville Business Association, the Mandeville Trailhead and the City of Mandeville.

The festival ended with a Christmas parade of about 20 boats along the Mandeville Lakefront.