Oakdale kicked off its Christmas season on Thursday, October 28, with a Christmas pageant and announcement of its grand parade marshal for the Christmas parade.
The theme for the 2021 Christmas parade is “Christmas on the Bayou.” It will be held Saturday, December 11, at 4 p.m. Fireworks should begin around 6 p.m.
This year’s parade marshal is Dr. Patrick Savoy. He is a 1992 graduate of Louisiana State University of Medicine in New Orleans. For 24 years, he has been the chief of surgery at Oakdale Community Hospital. A native of Mamou, he is married to Kelly Rush Savoy, owner of the Rush Companies. The couple has four sons, and Rush, one of the four sons, is going to follow in his dad’s footsteps. In May, Rush will graduate from LSU New Orleans Medical School and specialize in general surgery.
The news release indicated Savoy was chosen for his commitment to his patients. “Dr. Pat, as we Oakdalians like to call him, has given tirelessly to the community through his second-to-none patient care. Dr. Savoy often works nights and weekends to assist patients. Through the pandemic, he treated over 1,000 COVID-19 patients from across the state. He gave patients hope and healing when they had nowhere to turn.”
Savoy loves to hunt and fish, and according to the event release, he takes care of patients at all times. He has won several different tournaments that he and his fishing buddies have joined.
“Even from his hunting stand in Jonesville and miles offshore (with his buddies Chad Bailey and Paul Durio) in the Gulf of Mexican from his jaw dropping Freeman named “The Outlaw,” Dr. Savoy is there for his patients, every time.”
During the Chamber-sponsored event on Thursday, the annual “Grinch Stole Miss Merry Christmas” pageant was held. Eight young ladies from Oakdale High School competed for the Miss Merry Christmas 2021 title. They performed skits and dressed in a variety of costumes. The girls did paintings, sand, played instruments and even performed storytelling skits.
“We are fortunate to have smart, talented, graceful, and beautiful females that represent us! A big shout out to the Oakdale Area Chamber of Commerce for continuing this tradition to help prepare these young ladies for a bright future,” said Kelly Rush Savoy, who helped to organize the event.
Madison LaCaze was named Miss Merry Christmas 2021. Her court consists of Alyssia Ashworth, Bellah Perkins, Carlee Block, Natalie Cope, Christy Soileau, Jaslyn Russell and Jacklynn Graham.
Recognition for their support of these events were given to Kelly Rush Savoy, the Oakdale Chamber Board and the citizens who attended the event.
