Acadia Parish Tourism commissioners hear reports

CROWLEY - Plans for upcoming events and reports on past projects occupied most of the November meeting of the Acadia Parish Tourist Commission.
Fran Bihm, executive director of the Rayne Chamber of Commerce, reported that a “Noel on the Trail” shop-at-home promotion was being planned and that a number of local businesses had already signed on to participate.
She said the promotion will climax Dec. 1 through 3 with various retail and service businesses offering specials. Also, the Chamber will be sponsoring a scavenger hunt and a decorating contest in conjunction with the event.
Bihm added that a large camper group — The Cruisin’ Cajuns — will be in town that weekend. “That should add to the fun and excitement,” she said.
Bihm also announced that the Chamber had recently hosted a large group of tourists from Australia and New Zealand along with a separate group from Canada.
Continuing on the activities in Rayne, Suzette Leonards, the city’s appointee to the commission, announced that the Rayne Christmas Parade will be held Tuesday, Dec. 6, beginning at 6 p.m. with a number of activities being planned at The Depot Square at the end of the route.
Leonards also mentioned the success of the city’s recent Halloween “Fright Fest” and said that a number of activities are being planned in conjunction with the Rayne High Wolves’ participation in the 4A state playoffs.
During her director’s report, Gwen Hanks told commissioners that walk-ins at the Tourist Information Office (on Tower Road) had been slow during the past month, “but that’s to be expected with the time of year and the economy.”
She added, however, that web “hits” on the APTC’s site were up and that there was an expected “spike” leading up to and during the International Rice Festival in Crowley in mid-October.
Paul Broussard, treasurer, presented the 2017 budget for consideration.
The budget reflects an expected revenue of $193,000 for the coming year with a budget of expenditures of about $177,000, resulting in an expected surplus of about $16,000 at the end of the year.
Other Christmas parades announced across the parish include:
• Crowley: 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1.
• Iota: 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4.
• Estherwood: 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10.
• Mermentau: 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10.
• Midland: 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11.
• Morse: 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11.
• Church Point: 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11.

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