More than 30 businesses participating in Noel on the Prairie Saturday, Sunday

There are only 44 more shopping days ‘til Christmas, and shopping deals can be found right here in Eunice this weekend during the 16th annual Noel on the Prairie event.
Jan Olivier, organizer of Noel on the Prairie, said, “Shoppers come from Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Crowley, Church Point, Basile, Kinder and Ville Platte. Shops have specialty items like Orleans candles, Lampe Berger oil fragrances, jewelry and purses. Whatever is on your Christmas shopping list, you can find locally — scents, bath products, clothing, shoes and boots. The event has many items people did not know we had locally.”
Businesses participating in this year’s event are: Augie’s Maple Avenue Pharmacy, Bellard’s Family Pharmacy and Gifts, Bertrands Printing and Office Supplies, Bijou’s in the Cottage, Cafe Mosaic, Chris’ Designs Fine Jewelry and Gifts, Chris’ Sacred Heart Christian Books and Gifts, Cinderella’s Cottage and Gifts, Claire Deshotel Design and Consulting, Deshotel’s, Double Action Outdoor Sports, Four Southern Girls, Gossip Clothing Boutique, Holly’s Hobbies, Kim’s Merle Norman and More, La Decor and More, Le Village, Let’s Party, Naturally Mama, Petals and Pots, Rozas Shoe Store and Sweet Stitches, Sonnier’s Flowers and Gifts, Sun Sports, Super Tan, Tattle Tales, The Flower House, The Iron Gate, The Master’s Hands, Timeless Dreams, Uniquely Charming and Vogue La Vie. 
Event cosponsors are Basile State Bank, Whitney Bank, Tri-Parish Bank, St. Landry Bank and JD Bank.
Saturday’s shopping hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 12 to 4 p.m. on Sunday. 
The following businesses will not open Sunday: Bellard’s Family Pharmacy and Gifts, Bertrands Printing and Office Supplies,Chris’ Designs Fine Jewelry and Gifts, Chris’ Sacred Heart Christian Books and Gifts, Deshotel’s, Double Action Outdoor Sports, Petals and Pots, Sun Sports and The Flower House.
During the event, shoppers can register for a free $775 shopping spree. A Noel card can be picked up at any of the participating businesses and presented to at least 10 participating merchants. One entry is allowed for every 10 merchant stamps, and participants must be 18 years or older. The drawing will be Nov. 19, and the winner will get a $25 gift certificate from each of the participating businesses. 
Olivier, who is the original organizer of the event, got the idea for the event from similar Christmas events in the towns of  Crowley, Rayne, Abbeville and Jennings. 
“This is our 16th year,” Olivier said. “It’s designed for the local mom and pop shops here in town. I am proud to say that we are still doing good and going strong after all these years. It’s good for the community and a good draw. We hope to keep it going.”
“I’d like to thank the community for participating,” she added.
To contact Claudette Olivier, email claudette.olivier@eunicetoday.com.