GRAND COTEAU - Schools of the Sacred Heart sponsor one of Acadiana’s best holiday celebrations each year on the historic grounds of Sacred Heart.

Traditionally, a lively holiday party opens the festivities in the first week of December with the best restaurants in the area providing elaborate hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.

Join Schools of the Sacred Heart, located on a historic 250-acre campus, for Christmas at Coteau 2011 on December 2 and 3. This year the schedule of events includes all of the fun and dazzle of the Holiday Market, Coteau Café, and Jingle Bell Jog, plus a new event called Coteau Celebration. The gourmet luncheon is always festive, featuring the fine seasonal cuisine of Catahoula’s Restaurant.

During the Holiday Market, guests have first selection from many unique vendors offering antiques, estate jewelry, Christmas accessories, objects of art, children’s apparel and home and garden accessories. All are invited to enjoy shopping, dining and holiday merriment in the enchanting setting of Schools of the Sacred Heart at Grand Coteau.

“The Holiday Market is the perfect place to shop for yourself and those special people on your list,” said Claire Blanchard of Crowley, one of the co-chairs of the event. “Join us for your early Christmas shopping. People have told me that they enjoy the shopping because it is easy to get around, easy to shop and the surroundings are so beautiful.”

On Friday, December 2, the Holiday Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. along with Coteau Café in Latiolais dining hall.

“Cafe’ Latiolais will offer shoppers and guests a warm place to enjoy sandwiches, coffee, hot chocolate and desserts prepared by locals,” said Blanchard. “Additionally, look for Crowley merchant, Adam’s Apple, who will be one of the vendors this year.”

Admission to the Holiday Market is $8 per person.

Continuing to celebrate the holiday season and local cuisine, Christmas at Coteau’s Gourmet Luncheon will feature the talents of Chef Rachel Leckelt of Grand Coteau’s own Catahoula’s Restaurant. Seating will be at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. held in the Christmas at Coteau tent. Tickets for general seating are $50 per person. Reserved seating for eight can be purchased for $375. All tickets to the Gourmet Luncheon include entrance into the Holiday Market.

Saturday, December 3, begins with the Jingle Bell Jog at 8 a.m. on Academy Road.

Pre-registration is required for the both the 5fivemile race with a registration fee of $25 and the 1 mile fun run with a registration fee of $20. A race entry form can be found on the school’s website at sshcoteau.org under Christmas at Coteau Events. For more information about the Jingle Bell Jog, contact Nicole Morrow at nicole.morrow@att.net. Following the Jingle Bell Jog, the Holiday Market and Coteau Café will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for more shopping and fun.

For a grand finale to Christmas at Coteau 2011, all are invited to attend Coteau Celebration Saturday evening from 6 to 11 p.m. As a new addition to Coteau’s holiday festivities, Coteau Celebration promises to be a lively holiday party featuring music, food and cocktails from “A Taste of Acadiana Restaurants” and a live auction. Donations of $100 per person will be taken. Tickets can be purchased at the school’s gate.

Corporate sponsorships are welcomed to help support Christmas at Coteau and to allow businesses to reach out to a select group of customers. Various levels of sponsorship for small and large businesses are available. For more information on sponsorships, please contact Cynthia Thompson, Christmas at Coteau chair, at 337-849-4460.

For tickets and reservations to Christmas at Coteau events, please contact Becky Ducrest at beckyducrest@bellsouth.net. For general information, please contact either co-chair, Claire Blanchard, at 225-802-7881, or Cynthia Thompson at 337-849-4460.

“There is a great deal of preparation for Christmas at Coteau, but every year it’s outcome is wonderful! There’s always neat trinkets and nick nacks to simply look at or buy and enjoy,” said Lauren Leigh LaHaye, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Leon LaHaye and a student at the Academy from pre-Kindergarten to her present Freshman year. “I think this event is one of the many great things that makes our school so special. Any age would enjoy this event and families should definitely come check it out to see what’s in store!”

All proceeds of Christmas at Coteau will benefit Schools of the Sacred Heart at Grand Coteau. Schools of the Sacred Heart at Grand Coteau is comprised of the Academy of the Sacred Heart and Berchmans Academy of the Sacred Heart. The Academy of the Sacred Heart, founded in 1821, is an independent Catholic school enrolling girls in Pre-Kindergarten 3 through grade twelve. Berchmans Academy of the Sacred Heart, founded in 2006, is an independent Catholic school enrolling boys in Pre-Kindergarten 3 through grade nine with plans to add a grade each year to grade 12.