In Which Christmas Comes to Town

Yesterday, Christmas came to town. I attended the 63rd annual Christmas Parade in the old part of town. It sounded like a fun, holiday-spirit thing to do, and I figured it seemed like a nice small-town kind of tradition. So at 9:30am, I drove into town,parked, and walked to the a spot on the parade route. There were a lot of people. Someone said close to 55,000, and I believe it. I found a spot right near the main stage, where all the dancers and bands stopped to do a 1-minute performance.

Surprisingly, winter also arrived in Virginia the same day as Christmas. At 9:50, I was wishing I had worn warmer socks. At 10:00, I was wishing I had brought heavier mittens. By the time the parade finally started at 10:18, I was downright cold. It was so cold, my digital camera refused to turn on. I have pictures on my cell phone. If anyone can help me figure out how to send them to the computer, I'd appreciate it. Then I can show you the parade.

It was very cool. There were over 100 groups marching, and at least 1/3 had floats. There were some really fun ones, like the one made by a middle school orchestra with broken instruments and Christmas packages. There were several dance troupes dressed in sparkly leotards and tights, shivering their way through their dance number. There was the Budweiser Clydesdales, which are really big. "Big" does not begin to describe how massive those animals are. The mayor marched. The local senator marched. There were men driving Harley-Davidsons decorated with tinsel and and Santa Clauses. There were two balloons. Marching bands in full regalia wearing Christmas elf-ear hats. The crowd was fun too, lots of families and children. bundled up in layers of lumpy coats and blankets, and everyone saying "hi" to each other and greeting people they knew in the parade. Stores lining the main street were all open and serving hot chocolate or coffee and cookies, enticing people to step in and warm up, and maybe do a little Christmas shopping.

I couldn't stay to the end. It got to the point where I couldn't get warm even in a store. I left just before noon, and the parade was only about half finished. Next year, I will dress warmer and bring a blanket. What a fantastic local event! The only thing that would have been better is if my family and friends could have been there too. Wishing you all happy holidays.