Christmas parade a chilly success

Some elf got it all just about perfect on Saturday, November 26.

There was just enough snow to lend that holiday feeling. Sure, it was chilly, but red noses and rosy cheeks are part of the fun — the cold makes the cider and hot chocolate taste all the better.

Some 30 entries paraded down Hood Avenue in Sisters’ annual Christmas parade, sponsored by the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce.

There were Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts; festively-adorned llamas and and a posse of elves on horseback.

The Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District got into the act, sending its oldest engine down Hood Avenue decorated from stem to stern with toys and stuffed animals. The engine was followed by two others, which thrilled the crowd with blasts from an air horn.

Sen. Ben Westlund led the procession, tossing candy from his red convertible to the kids lining the route and stopping to hand off goodies to the littlest ones.

Frosty the Snowman trundled down the street, receiving waves and hugs from excited children.

But it was the man who brought up the tail of the procession that drew the loudest applause. Santa Claus took the parade route on foot this year, following Mrs. Claus, who was happily ensconced in a painted wagon from Long Hollow Ranch.

Santa’s progress was delayed by hordes of little ones dashing out into the parade to get a quick hug. But the jolly old elf managed to complete his tour and report over to the Chamber Visitors Center, where a line of children waited to tell him what they want for Christmas.

Instead of the traditional outdoor venue in a red sleigh, the chamber staff moved Santa indoors and out of the cutting wind (a decision heartily endorsed by moms and dads and grandmas and grandpas).

After visiting Santa, some children went outside to have their pictures taken with the Chamber’s new holiday lawn display of snowmen and a train.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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