Gotreaux Family Farms, a long-time Lafayette favorite at farmers’ markets and Rouses supermarkets, will open its gates to the public for its inaugural Christmas Festival on the Farm celebration this Saturday afternoon in Scott, Louisiana.
It will likely be the only Christmas celebration with a petting zoo.
Gotreaux Farms is an open book. In addition to providing meats, dairy and produce on Saturday mornings at the Lafayette Farmers’ Market, its 40 acres are open to the public every Tuesday afternoon from 2 – 6 p.m. at its Farm Stand. The farm has also hosted several major events in the past, like its Family Fun Days in the spring and autumn. Such events attract between 700 and 1,200 attendees, said Event Coordinator and Marketing Manager for Gotreaux Farms Matalyn Choate, and Gotreaux Farms expects to welcome even more people to its first Christmas event.
Choate said she and Juliana Gotreaux, one of the Gotreaux daughters, came up with the idea to expand the farm’s rotation of annual events to include a Christmas-themed celebration.
“We wanted to provide everyone with a way to make great family memories and an opportunity to Christmas shop with local vendors,” said Choate.
According to Choate, there are 14 vendors scheduled to sell their wares on the 40-acre farm. Farm favorites include Dangly Bits Jewelry, a Lafayette jewelry shop managed by former Saintsation Victoria English Lane; Ally Smith Designs, a bespoke operation, which crafts custom pictures for life events, multimedia Eunice-based artist Hannah Gumbo; and Laci Quinn of Joy in Color.
Food trucks like The Bus Stop, which provides gourmet burgers, the Creole and American truck C’est Bon Manger will be on site to provide dinner options. Bakery vendors such as the tasty and allergy sensitive Dani Cakes and Katie’s Cookies, which create classic homemade cookies in various flavors, will provide sweet treats. The farm will also provide free hot chocolate.
Like other events throughout the year, this one will include food, games, face painting, fun jumps, and, of course, animals. Choate said the animals in the petting zoo will be determined by their mood that day, though the roster includes a newborn calf, chickens, and possibly goats.
Not many are able to open their homes, or their workplaces, to the public.Jennings native Dawn Gautreaux is able to do both.
“Hospitality is a way of life here, and welcoming everyone to our farm like they are family is something we have always loved to do!” said Gotreaux.
The Gotreaux Family Farm is located less than five minutes from Ambassador Caffery Parkway in Scott, providing easy access from Lafayette. The farm is located right off of Landry Road and just a few miles off of Ridge Road. The party begins at 3 p.m. and goes on until 7 p.m.
To stay up to date, visit the Gotreaux Family Farm’s Facebook page.
