City of Lake Charles Adjusts “Light Up the Lake” Christmas Festivities Ahead of McNeese Home Playoff Game

As the final week of the regular football season approaches for McNeese State University, the likelihood increases of a second round home game on Saturday, December 5. City of Lake Charles officials on Monday announced that they have adjusted the annual Christmas lighting ceremony and street parade schedule to accommodate the McNeese football game.

“Our Christmas festivities fall on the first Saturday of December each year,” said Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach. “The street parade, Santa’s Workshop, lighting ceremony and fireworks over the lake are part of our Christmas tradition in the City. In addition to these holiday traditions, there’s another important tradition in our community and that’s McNeese State University and McNeese Cowboy Athletics.”

It is with this thought in mind that City officials have decided to alter the schedule for its “Light Up the Lake” Christmas festival.

“After discussions with McNeese President Dr. Phillip Williams and Athletic Director Bruce Hemphill we decided to make some changes to the schedule of activities to minimize any conflict with a home playoff game,” added Mayor Roach. “The Christmas street parade will be moved up to Saturday morning and the lighting ceremony and fireworks will be held on Sunday night.”

The new schedule of events is as follows:

Saturday, December 5

  • Street Parade: Downtown Lake Charles

           11:00 a.m.

  • Santa’s Workshop: Lake Charles Civic Center

           2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

  • Community Band Concert: Lake Charles Civic Center

           3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 6

  • Lighting Ceremony: Front steps of Lake Charles Civic Center

           5:00 - 6:20 p.m.

  • Mickey Smith: Founder’s Landing (Civic Center Lakefront Promenade)

           6:30 - 7:00 p.m.

  • Fireworks over Lake Charles:

           7:00 p.m.

“We look forward to ushering in the holiday season and encourage everyone in the community to make plans to come celebrate with us and to support the McNeese Cowboys as they begin their championship pursuit,” said Mayor Roach.

For more information, visit www.cityoflakecharles.com or call (337) 491-9159.