July 24, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cortana Kiwanis Club and the Kiwanis Club of Cortana Baton Rouge Foundation, Inc announced today that the 2025 Cortana Kiwanis Baton Rouge Christmas Parade, which was scheduled to run through Downtown Baton Rouge on December 13, 2025, has been canceled due to rising parade production costs, and a reduction in commitments of underwriting support. Cortana Kiwanis also requires additional time to collaborate with city government and affiliated agencies to thoroughly review adjustments to the parade route and schedule to enhance safety for all participants and attendees.
Cortana Kiwanis issued a statement today saying, “We would like to thank the Baton Rouge community and our sponsors for years of dedication and support of the Cortana Kiwanis Christmas Parade. For the last two decades out of the 74-year history of the parade, Cortana Kiwanis has operated the parade and has successfully drawn approximately 75,000 people annually to downtown Baton Rouge and produced its complementary television broadcast. Our annual parade has not only been a great service to the community, as Kiwanis volunteers operate the parade, but it has also raised significant funds over that time to support numerous children-focused charities in our community. We have assessed the rising costs for producing this year’s parade and have forecast that the parade will not generate the funds to successfully operate the parade and meet the needs of our beneficiaries. Cortana Kiwanis relies on sponsors and underwriting support of local governing entities such as East Baton Rouge Parish, the Office of the Mayor-President, and the Baton Rouge City Police. Our board will assess if the parade can resume operation in 2026 and beyond.”
Cortana Kiwanis additionally expressed gratitude to the longtime annual presenting sponsor of the Christmas Parade, Baton Rouge Coca Cola Bottling Company.
Funds from the parade have annually supported numerous local children’s charities and other local and worldwide philanthropic Kiwanis projects. An extensive list of these projects can be found on the parade’s website, www.christmasinbr.com. Cortana Kiwanis will continue raising annual funds to support these projects and invites the community to support by making donations to the Kiwanis Club of Baton Rouge Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization. Donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 84174, Baton Rouge, LA 70884 or delivered in person at the Cortana Kiwanis Club meetings every Thursday morning at 7:30 am at Piccadilly Restaurant located at 3332 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70816.
About Cortana Kiwanis:
Cortana Kiwanis is one of the largest Kiwanis clubs in the Greater Baton Rouge area and affiliated with Kiwanis International. Founded in 1977 and originally chartered by merchants of Cortana Mall, the club’s membership now includes professionals and volunteers from throughout the Greater Baton Rouge Area. The club meets weekly at Piccadilly Restaurant at 3332 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd in Baton Rouge. Cortana Kiwanis has touched the lives of many families in Baton Rouge through its many annual philanthropic and service projects, including the Cortana Kiwanis Christmas Parade.
About Kiwanis International:
Kiwanis International is a global community of clubs, members and partners dedicated to improving the lives of children one community at a time. Today, Kiwanis is served by 550,000 members from K-Kids to Key Club to Kiwanis and many ages in between in 80 countries and geographic areas. Each community has unique needs, and Kiwanis empowers members to pursue creative ways to serve the needs of children, such as fighting hunger, improving literacy, and offering guidance. Kiwanis clubs host nearly 150,000 service projects each year. Learn more at www.kiwanis.org.
