Annual Rotary Christmas Parade proves to be another success

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for White County, as the annual Christmas Parade became the first official kick-off for the season.

On Dec. 13, there was not an inch of the sidewalk across Bockman Way that did not have residents lined up, waiting to see the floats and festivities. All the way from the high school to the courthouse, whether standing to the side with a bucket ready to grab candy or bringing their own chair to simply sit and watch, there must have been thousands waiting to see this year’s Christmas Parade.

Starting at WCHS, the parade moved out into town, starting on Allen Drive and turning onto Hampton Drive by One Bank. The rest of the parade went all the way from West Bockman to East Bockman, ending near Liberty Square to get ready for the Christmas tree lighting. There were countless floats, consisting of school sports teams, churches, people running for office, businesses, or people that just really wanted to join the festivities for fun.

Decorated cars, Santa on his sleigh, or the rare sighting of the Grinch were all included among the floats. All the kids watching from the sidewalk, however, mostly seemed interested in all the candy that was being thrown out.

The Rotary Club chose three floats as the best of the best during the parade. Marty McFly’s Blue Light Ride won first, Trivette for Sheriff’s Polar Express won second, and Bethel Freew Will Baptist Church got third place.

After the parade finished, Liberty Square was full of fun activities to celebrate the Christmas spirit. Face painting, balloon animals, various sweets, and drink booths, all lined around the square as individuals waited for the tree lighting ceremony. At 6:30 p.m., Sparta cheered as the tree was lit, and the evening of festivities came to a close.