A yearly tradition continued, despite the pandemic, today in Iota.
The town's annual Christmas parade brought some cheer to the Acadia Parish town.
Dozens of children gathered with their families on Main Street, catching candy as the parade rolled by.
"It's just awesome to see their little minds not too affected by the chaotic year. They're still excited for Christmas, still excited to catch candy, this parade is putting a smile on their face," says Avery Jackson, an Iota resident.
Families were keeping their distance from those not in their household.
"They're at a distance from each other, so I think it's safe, I think we're ok," said parade organizer Mona Cart.
Organizers said they didn't feel the need to cancel this year.
"We're not restricted to not have it, we haven't been told we can't have it," she said. "We're not all close together, we encourage people, if they want to wear a mask, wear it. I feel safe being out, and not too close to people. So we're ok with that."
This year, however, Santa did not allow any children to sit on his lap. Instead, he accepted written wish lists.
"We can't have Santa sick," Cart said. "We have a Santa drop box at the Pavillion, and the week of Christmas they will be sent off to the North Pole!"
