Big crowd turns out for Christmas parade

Saturday afternoon arrived silver-lined and golden with abundant sunshine for the Sisters Christmas Parade, with neighbors, friends and visiting family flanking Hood Avenue to partake in the yearly tradition, celebrating small-town charm and community fellowship.

Gangs of college football fans lined the parade route sporting Beaver orange or Ducks green in celebration of the day's big rivalry contest, tethered to leashed dogs of every size and breed, many wearing their best yuletide outfits, from Saint Bernards with collar barrels to pugs in pink sweaters and schnauzers in Santa suits.

Leah O'Hern, five, was thrilled to be riding on the city's public works float. 

"I like the parade a lot because I get to hold a puppy named Merlin," she said. "I think he's a wiener dog." 

Announcer Bob Buckmann delivered regular Civil War game updates as the festivities progressed down the crowded street. Emily and Bob Rear of Eugene scored a prime viewing spot from the back of their SUV, and readied their camera for some spontaneous shots.

"We're here all the time," Bob said. "We usually come over to Sisters once a month. My wife is a quilter so she ends up at Stitchin' Post and I go over to the bookstore. We love the small-town parade, and the people of Sisters are so friendly. This is our home away from home."

Weekend visitors, still stuffed with turkey and pumpkin pie, gathered around Sisters Coffee Company's outdoor fire pit, buying scented wax pine cones and oatmeal cranberry cookies as the joyous pageant promenaded along. Inside, The Allison Family Band, from Bend, with their seven children played bluegrass jigs to a roomful of happy smiles.

Sisters Fire Department Engine Number Three drew a wave of cheers as it strutted down the street, all decked out and decorated with hundreds of toys, stuffed animals, a Christmas train and an enormous inflatable polar bear perched atop the ladder. 

Honored veterans, Lady Outlaw soccer champions, vintage autos and proud equestrians filed forth alongside a motorized Radio Flyer wagon, prancing llamas and the purple Hodag mascot from Hoodoo Ski Resort. The Northwest Paso Fino Horse Association brought their festive herd of high-steppin' horses, each draped in tinseled garlands, red bows and jingle bells.

And not to be upstaged, the parade ended with the traditional appearance of a fur-suited St. Nick, pulled by a sturdy pair of black percherons, a rare sight outside the frosty climate of the North Pole.

Taylor and Mackenzie Nokes, ages 5 and 2, of Bend, nibbled on candy canes, packing up to go home with their Colorado grandparents.

"I liked the Santa best," said Taylor, suffering playful shoves from her sister. "My favorite animals were all the horses and the goat that looked like a reindeer. Mackenzie can't talk but she liked the doggies. For Christmas I want a prince because I am a princess."

One sorely missed entry of the parade was Ann Richardson's Corgi Express, the jubilant, sleigh-pulling squad of Welsh Corgis. 

"We lost a couple of team members this year due to injuries," she explained. "They are on the injured reserve list. We just couldn't get a full crew together in time. But these two did get to watch the parade from the sidelines. It was fun. I know everybody looks forward to seeing them. It is disappointing to disappoint, but we will be back in force next year."