Under clear skies and a temperature in the mid-40’s, the Sulphur Springs Lions’ Club Christmas Parade sponsored by Carriage House Manor provided a variegated display of light and beauty to the night. Prior to the parade, the Downtown Business Association sponsored the lighting of the city Christmas Tree by Santa.
Under the bright lights of the tree Santa visited with the children present for both a photo op for parents and the opportunity for the children to make their Christmas requests. Along with Santa, there were white tigers and a number of other fun venues for the family oriented night. Vendors sold items inside Celebration Plaza including one glow light vendor permitted to sell on the plaza. A few vendors were selling glow lights south of Davis Street along Connally Street although some of those vendors encroached on areas of the parade route for which they were not permitted.
Music by Ice House Band featured jazz and various vocals for the evening prior to the parade and following.
The parade was filled with bands and cheer groups that wore lights on uniforms and band instruments. Cars and trucks were illuminated by rope lights of various colors and several of the vehicles pulled trailers that served as floats filled with children, adults, and various trees and lights. Churches, businesses and organizations entered floats including the Carriage House Manor Rocker-ettes. The parade ended with a honor guard of fire trucks and EMS vehicles escorting the city fire engine carrying Santa.
