THE CITY OF MANDEVILLE enthralls visitors and locals year-round with a multitude of public events and outdoor activities for the entire family. You’ll see families playing and exercising on the Mandeville Lakefront, concerts and markets at the Mandeville Trailhead and people dining and shopping in Old Mandeville. December is no exception to the months of activities available to the public.
Christmas is just around the corner and residents and visitors will be treated to a fun-filled weekend of events in Mandeville. Festivities begin on Friday, December 11 when the Old Mandeville Business Association (OMBA) hosts their annual “Sips of the Season” from 5–8 p.m.
The Sips of the Season beverage stroll requires purchase of a souvenir mug available in advance for $12 at Das Schulerhaus Gift Gallery and Christmas Boutique, Varsity Sports and K. Gee’s Restaurant. Participants will receive a beverage sample at the 19 participating stops. Be sure to purchase your mugs early, they sell out every year! The tradition of beverage strolling with a mug is derived from the German Chriskindlmarkt or Christ Child market. During this season, German cities convert town squares into markets offering mugs for purchase with a warm spiced wine called gluhwein. Along with food, other beverages, seasonal gift items, traditional singing and dancing; each town has a different color mug which makes them coveted collector items. For a complete list of the Sips of the Season stroll stops, go to OMBA’s website, or the Christmas Past Festival Facebook Page.
The following morning, Saturday, December 12, OMBA is having their Christmas Past Festival from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. The Christmas Past street festival is packed with over 40 vendors lining Girod Street. The festival will extend from near the Mandeville Trailhead complex and continue down to the lakefront. Keeping with an international season theme, each block will highlight a different region: Germany, England, France, Louisiana and America. Maps and the program of events can be found on the Christmas Past Festival Facebook Page.
The City of Mandeville’s Winter on the Water Event begins an hour later on Saturday, December 12, when Santa’s Christmas Parade begins at 4 p.m. at the Lakefront Harbor, complete with live bands, antique cars and marching troupes. The parade culminates at the gazebo where there is live entertainment, featuring Naydja Cojoe. The Mayor will turn on the lights, illuminating the oaks along the lake and a boat parade will follow. The Christmas lights remain lit on the lakefront until New Year’s Day. Santa will remain to give every child a candy cane and take pictures.
Christmas Past and Winter on the Water are free events and the general public is invited to attend. Local businesses will be open late so that residents and visitors can get “Wrapped Up In Mandeville.” So make your plans to celebrate the season from December 11 and 12 in the City of Mandeville and come stroll, shop and see what’s in store. Hope you’ll join us to experience the joy of this holiday season!
