Gas up, it's again time for Noel on the Prairie

Okay, ladies, it’s time to gas up the vehicle, send the spouses to the deer camps or the golf course and get your  gift lists in order -- the 14th annual Noel on the Prairie is Saturday and Sunday at 29 participating locations.
The premise is simple -- each participant is featuring special bargains as well as providing an opportunity for customers to participate in a free $725 shopping spree.
Noel on the Prairie has become the more-or-less official kick-off to the Christmas shopping season in the Eunice area.
Bargains are everywhere on the Noel map.
An example:
We picked five stops at random and spent an imaginary $150 on five gifts. The total spent due to advertised sale discounts was $118, leaving us $32 to take to a sixth location for yet another gift.
The Noel specials offered by the merchants provide shoppers an opportunity to literally double their purchasing power during the two-day event.
Additionally, many of the merchants are providing free refreshments to customers as well as opportunities to win prizes in special drawings.
The Noel open house, co-sponsored by Basile State Bank, Whitney Bank, Tri-Parish Bank, St. Landry Bank and JD Bank, is Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.
And, yes, men are welcome to join in.
Participating merchants include:
Augie’s Maple Ave. Pharmacy & Gifts, Bella Baby, Bellard’s Family Pharmacy, Bertrand’s Printing & Office Supplies, Bijous in the Cottage, Cafe Mosaic, Cajun Fle Market & Auction;
Cinderella’s Cottage & Gifts, Chris’ Designs, Damian P. Cuccio Fine Acccents, Double Action Outdoor Sports, Gossip, Jan’s Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio & More, Jerry’s Jewelers;
LeVillage, Let’s Party, Petals & Pots, Rozas Shoe Store, Sacred Heart Christian Books & Gifts, Smith’s True Value Hardware, Sonnier’s Flowers & Gifts, Spoiled Rotten Children’s Boutique;
Super Tan, Sun Sports, The Iron Gate, The Wine Cottage, The Master’s Hands Therapist & Esthetician, Timeless Dreams and Vogue La Vie.