Claudette Olivier
Grant Soileau has had some wild requests in the 25 years he has played Santa in the Ville Platte Christmas Parade.
Soileau said, “One little boy wanted a jet. I asked him what he was going to do with the jet since he didn’t know how to fly it. He told me he wanted to get it then he would learn how to fly it.
“A little girl told me she wanted a horse, and I asked her if she knew how to take care of it. She told me that you put them in a pasture, they eat grass and then you name it and when you call it by its name, it will come to you.”
Soileau will reprise his role at 5:30 p.m. Sunday as the Ville Platte Christmas Parade rolls down Main Street. He will ride atop a 1950 model Mack fire truck, the Ville Platte Fire Department’s oldest truck.
The parade will begin at Citizen’s Bank and end at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Soileau, who works for the fire department, said he asked to play the part of Santa for the parade one year, and the job stuck.
“I like the kids, to see their eyes light up and shine and sparkle,” Soileau said. “It’s like you can see into their heart, the surprise of what they will get for Christmas.
“I enjoy watching the kids.”
Soileau said he has been through a lot of costumes over the years, at least a dozen, and yes, he’s had his beard pulled off a time or two when children sit on his lap to tell him their Christmas wishes.
“Some kids are excited to see Santa and embrace me,” Soileau said
“Others cry and scream,” he added, laughing.
Ville Platte Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Camille Fontenot said the chamber has hosted the parade for the last 15 to 20 years.
“There has been a Christmas parade in Ville Platte since I was a kid,” Fontenot said. “Different organizations have organized it over the years.
“Santa stayed in town and went to stores like G. Ardoin and the furniture store after the parade to visit with children.”
In addition to Santa Soileau, Fontenot said past parade entrants have included Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine in her Christmas decorated vehicle, local dance groups, Girl Scout troops and beauty queens, high school bands and several other Ville Platte Fire Department fire trucks. Fontenot said Junior ROTC members from Ville Platte high also carry the flags for the parade each year, and there were more than 20 entries in the 2015 Christmas Parade.
“Last year we had the Coca-Cola truck, and we hope to have it again this year,” Fontenot said. “We also invited the Budweiser wagon, too.
“It’s all for the kids. There will be lots of candy, too.”
Following the parade, the public may visit and take photos with Santa Claus at Allen Ortego Park, across Main Street from City Hall. Mayor Vidrine will also light a tree at the park at that time. It’s for the kids. Lots of candy, it’s what they want.
“We ask that businesses along parade route put up Christmas lights and turn them on during the parade,” Fontenot said. “We want to let everyone know that Ville Platte is ready for Christmas.
She continued, “The parade is a big to-do. We get better attendance now that the parade is at night. People can see the lights. It’s just prettier at night.”