The City of Opelousas is pleased to announce that former New Orleans Saints player and recent Saints Hall of Fame inductee, Devery Henderson, will serve as this year’s Parade Marshal for the Opelousas Children’s Christmas Parade. The annual holiday event will also feature Christmas themed floats, marching bands, loveable costumed characters, and of course everyone’s favorite, Santa Claus. The parade is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022.
Devery Henderson was born in Opelousas, Louisiana on March 26, 1982. In his youth, Henderson attended East Junior High and Opelousas High School, where he was a part of the high school’s highly-rated track team. Henderson later attended Louisiana State University on a track and football scholarship. During his time as an LSU Tiger, Henderson would be a part of the 2001 National Champion Indoor Track and Field Team and the 2004 BCS National Championship Game for the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season.
In the 2004 NFL draft, Henderson was selected in the second round by the New Orleans Saints. During his nine seasons with the professional football team, he would become a key factor in the team’s high-powered offense as the Saints would go on to claim their first-ever Super Bowl win in 2009. This year, Henderson was formerly inducted into Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in June followed by an induction to the Saints Hall of Fame in October, where he was honored during the Saints home game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The parade will begin at the eastern entrance of the city at Landry Street near Le Vieux Village and then continue west through downtown ending at the intersection of Landry and Bullard Streets. Parade registration forms should be submitted by Wednesday, November 30, 2022. Forms can be dropped off at the Opelousas Tourist Information Center at Le Vieux Village located at 828 East Landry Street or to Stephanie Richard at City Hall located at 105 North Main Street.
Along with the City of Opelousas, parade and float sponsors include Catalyst Bank, Casanova Eye Care, St. Landry Parish Government, St. Landry Parish Tax Assessor Sherri Zeringue McGovern, Washington State Bank, St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court Charles Jagneaux, CLECO, American Bank, JD Bank and Roy Motors. For parade information or an entry form, visit cityofopeousas.com or contact Opelousas Tourist Center at 1-800-424-5442 or (337) 948-6263 or by email at info@cityofopelousas.com
