We love celebrations. And in 2017 we took plenty of time to celebrate. The top two reasons to celebrate were the Fair Parade in October and the Christmas Festival in December.
The annual Fair Parade rolled out of the Fairgrounds about 5:00 pm Thursday afternoon, October 5th. There were many floats and entries by schools and local businesses.
The parade was led by the Sheriff’s Department and Red River High’s Air Force JROTC carrying the colors. It was to have been lead by units of the fire and EMS services, however there was a truck wreck on US 71 shortly before parade time, so those vehicles went on the call.
The parade route was lined with excited spectators, especially the children. They shouted “throw me something” and hurried to add another piece of candy or trinket to their bag of goodies.
Look back at the Journal’s October 11th issue to see all of the pictures of the floats entered in the Fair Parade.
The 2017 Christmas Festival was truly spectacular. The events were made even greater as over 2,200 folks turned out on December 5th to see and tour the KCS Holiday Express.
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The Holiday Express train was created by workers for Kansas City Southern railroad. They used retired rail cars and a lot of ingenuity to create a holiday spectacular. Santa’s reindeer rode on a flatcar. There was a boxcar formed into a stable for the reindeer (actually holding the generator for the display).
Everyone entered the caboose and wound their way from car to car. Santa was seated in a big rocker awaiting the opportunity to hear a child’s Christmas wish or have a photo made by an excited parent.
The Christmas Parade and Fireworks Spectacular was held on Thursday, December 7th. Front Street was decked out in holiday finery and featured many improvements being made by the town council.
The overall winner of the Christmas Parade was a school bus decorated with Santa, Elves and a huge tree. This was the last entry in the parade and made a huge impression on the large crowd gathered on Front Street.
This year’s parade featured 20 floats and entries, a marching band, spirit groups and dancers. The Grand Marshall was Dr. Greg Bell and the Community Leader was C’Ann Norman.
Despite a winter chill in the air, the crowd stayed around for a fabulous fireworks display. The show lasted at least half an hour and rocket after rocket blasted skyward from across the railroad tracks behind the Council on Aging’s Depot Diner.
Around town Christmas lights were ablaze throughout the holiday season. Businesses, utility poles, public buildings, and homes were decorated with lights and yard displays. Our parish courthouse sported new decorations for 2017. The Police Jury and Chamber of Commerce redecorated with garland and lights around the columns out front. And new lights were strung to outline the historic building.
There are more pictures from the Christmas Festival. Look back at the Journal in early December for photos of the Holiday Express Train, the Christmas Festival Parade, the Fireworks Spectacular and the lights about town.
