Logan County parade unlocks the magic of Christmas      

Thousands line streets, giving Santa a warm welcome on a brisk night

[DEC. 3, 2004]  Take a couple of dozen festively decorated floats, school marching bands, clubs and organizations with banners, candy galore, horses, rescue vehicles with lights and sirens, antique vehicles and more; layer them all together and add a bright red-clad fellow in a sleigh at the end; and you have one swell Christmas parade.

The weather was cooperative Thursday night, helping make one of Logan County's finest parades yet. Compared with the many too warm, too cold, too wet parade nights in years past, this one was "just right." Temperatures were crisp enough to lend a brisk holiday cheer, and with no detectable winds and bright stars filling the sky, record crowds lined the downtown streets.

Young and old alike enjoyed the sights and sounds and interacting with parade participants. From the hundreds of volunteers and participants to the littlest ones watching from shoulders, everyone had a great time. Bright smiling faces were everywhere.

It is a new practice not to throw candy but to hand it out. Kids lined the street with their bags open, gathering candy. An elf from the Heritage In Flight float asked a woman if she had been good, and she said that at her age she didn't have any choice. He gave her some candy and she giggled.

Santa is in town now and will be asking everyone who sees him that very same question, "Have you been naughty or nice this year?" What will your answer be?

Click here to see a little of last night's event.

[To visit Santa]

[Jan Youngquist]