The Noel Acadien we all know and love today originally began as “Christmas Comes Alive” and was started by the Junior League of Lafayette. 

At that time, it was a small display in the pavilion and most of the displays were items from people’s personal collections.

With the Junior League’s blessing, LARC took the project over in 1992 and has certainly outgrown the pavilion to shine brighter than ever.

“It takes three one week periods starting back in October and then coming back in November,” says Thomas Gotte, Acadien Village director.

Three weeks of intense work goes into set up, placement, and construction of all the displays at Noel Acadien, but Gotte says the planning process takes all year.

Volunteers, most of whom are in their 70’s, spend days transforming the pavilion into the area where performances take place and Santa stops to hear what children are wishing for this Christmas. 

Over a half a million lights cover ten acres at Noel Acadien

Several thousand of which are new this year.

“So this year some of the new displays that the community can find are the enchanted forest and the forest has over 40-thousand new lights with all these wonderful starbursts that are high up in the trees,” Gotte explains.

Workers have completed the finishing touches on many surprises this year like a 25-foot Christmas tree, complete with music, and a tunnel.

Both of those are animated. 

The decorated porches of the Acadian houses at the village remain a favorite of visitors and two new ones.

Santa’s workshop and a gingerbread house are also extra special this year.

“It’s really cool. all of the new porch displays we have are interactive. they are blinking. they’re moving so it’s something new that people could see new at the village this year,” Gotte says.

Once the village opens, someone must make sure all the lights continue shining and everything still works properly.

For a number of years, it has been a man named Mr. Carrol. 

He retired this year

He’s 86 and they are hoping to find someone as dedicated as he is to fill his shoes.