The 4th annual Manning Family Children’s Holiday Parade returns to downtown New Orleans Saturday, Dec. 6

Written By Alicia Vial

The parade rolls at 11 a.m. in partnership with Kern Studios, NewOrleans.com, WDSU, Audacy and many other generous parade sponsors

NEW ORLEANS – During a news conference at Manning Family Children’s today details were announced for the 4th annual Manning Family Children’s Holiday Parade which will take place in downtown New Orleans Saturday, Dec. 6, starting at 11 a.m. The event, which has been nominated for the second year in a row as a Top 10 holiday parade among USA Today readers, is back with its traditional downtown New Orleans route and signature throws.

Celebrating the holiday season in New Orleans, the 30-float parade will include custom, holiday-themed floats that feature animatronic props, intelligent lighting systems, special effects and audio systems, along with traditional rider floats, bringing the joy and magic of the holiday season to tens of thousands of parade-goers, along with those tuning in from home via the WDSU two-hour parade broadcast and one-hour preshow telethon.

“We are proud to continue this now beloved family tradition to help kick off the holiday season here in New Orleans,” said Lucio A. Fragoso, President and CEO of Manning Family Children’s. “We invite the community to join us for a day of joy and fun as we celebrate the season of giving and gratitude, while celebrating our vital, 70-year mission and bold new chapter for kids as we proudly renamed to Manning Family Children’s earlier this year.”

The parade will also feature high-flying helium balloons with a few new designs this year, along with dozens of New Orleans’ beloved marching groups and bands, and of course, Santa himself along with his cast of holiday characters. Leading the parade will be a very special King and two Queens, who are Manning Family Children’s patients, 11-year-old Abron, 7-year-old Jules and 9-year-old Abigail.

“The holiday season is one of the most wonderful times of the year here in New Orleans,” said Barry Kern, President and CEO of Kern Studios. “Local families and tourists alike will line the streets of our traditional downtown route on December 6 as we enjoy the season like only New Orleans can. Kern Studios is proud to partner with Manning Family Children’s again this year to bring kids and families this opportunity to experience joy and wonder together.”

The Manning Family Children’s Holiday Parade is made possible in partnership with Kern Studios, NewOrleans.com, WDSU, Audacy and many other supporters. Sponsors include b1BANK, Chick-fil-A New Orleans, Coca-Cola United, Downtown Development District, the French Market District, Louisiana Feed Your Soul and Keesler Federal Credit Union.

“New Orleans has so much to offer for both tourists and locals alike throughout the holiday season – and there is no better way to kick off Holidays New Orleans Style than with a parade,” said Alice Glenn, Executive Vice President for New Orleans and Company. “We encourage you to come out and line the route on December 6, and while you are downtown, take time to also visit the many wonderful restaurants, hotels and holiday experiences also taking place.” 

Returning for the second year, Manning Family Children’s is partnering with the New Orleans Marriott family of properties to offer hotel and experience packages. Discounted room rates are being offered as part of the Papa Noel holiday package for parade weekend, and the New Orleans Sheraton is holding a viewing party with reserved balcony and street viewing areas available. A portion of proceeds will be donated back to Manning Family Children’s through Children’s Miracle Network. View all the details and booking information at nolaholidayparade.com.

The Manning Family Children’s Holiday Parade will begin at the corner of Esplanade Avenue and North Peters Street, traveling North Peters to Decatur Street through the vibrant French Market toward Jackson Square and Oscar Dunn Park, where it will bring the joy and magic of the holiday season to life. The parade will then make its way back to North Peters, turning right on Canal Street, with a U-turn on Burgundy Street, traveling back through downtown to Tchoupitoulas Street, ending at St. Joseph Street.

For those who can’t catch the parade in-person, WDSU will televise the parade live via a three-hour special broadcast. Programming will begin at 10 a.m. with a special hourlong introduction that highlights the impact of Manning Family Children’s, shares inspiring patient stories, and helps raise important funds for the hospital. The parade broadcast can be viewed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Finally, patients at Manning Family Children’s have been busy decorating custom-made and adorned plastic ornaments that will be given out as signature throws this year. Each one-of-a-kind ornament includes a tag with the patient’s name.

To learn more about the Manning Family Children’s Holiday Parade and sponsorship opportunities, visit nolaholidayparade.com.

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About Manning Family Children’s
Manning Family Children’s is a 263-bed, non-profit academic pediatric medical center that offers comprehensive healthcare services, including over 40 pediatric specialties, just for children. With more than 600 pediatric providers, Manning Family Children’s offers a comprehensive array of specialized pediatric services in Louisiana and the Gulf South. In addition to its main campus located in New Orleans, Children’s operates a network of specialty clinics across Louisiana, including in Covington, Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Lafayette, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Children’s offers primary care at 17 convenient locations, along with a network of statewide pediatric affiliations. Children’s is a proud member of LCMC Health, a Louisiana-based, not-for-profit hospital system which also includes New Orleans East Hospital, Touro, University Medical Center New Orleans, West Jefferson Medical Center, East Jefferson General Hospital, Lakeview Hospital, and Lakeside Hospital. Learn more at manningchildrens.org.  

About Kern Studios
Rooted in the unique Mardi Gras culture of New Orleans, Kern Studios is the premier specialty fabrication company for parades, custom 3D props for outdoor advertising, and themed environments. Kern Studios strives to create memorable entertainment experiences that exceed clients’ expectations by combining tradition and innovation.

We are a family business that is currently on its third generation of leadership. With over 80 years of experience in the entertainment production space, we are confident in our ability to produce the finest work in any context. Kern Studios maintains a deep appreciation for the hands-on craftsmanship that built our business. What started in 1932 as a mule-drawn float on the back of a garbage wagon has become a global leader in parade and prop production. Learn more at kernstudios.com. 

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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