Santa arrives in North Pole-like weather

'Christmas in Motion Pictures' parade winners         

[DEC. 2, 2005]  To say a chill was in the air last night would be an understatement, but that didn't stop one of Lincoln's favorite events of the year from happening. The annual Lincoln Christmas Parade, with the theme "Christmas in Motion Pictures," still rolled, marched, whistled, tooted and hoofed through downtown. Friends and neighbors who wouldn't miss it for anything turned out in crowds, adding to the holiday spirit.

With all the usual parade flair -- multiple emergency vehicles flashing their lights and sirens, taped Christmas music playing -- high school royalty and sports teams, clubs, community leaders and organizations on floats, in vehicles and marching followed two teams of horses and wove through the downtown. Children gathered candies that were handed out, and all was with brought up in the end by the grand arrival of Santa Claus.

What was missing were all the school bands. Directors made the decision earlier in the day, saying that the cold would affect the students playing metal instruments.

The event was co-sponsored by Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce and the city of Lincoln.

Those who were unable to be there can still catch the holiday spirit of this event by watching CITV5 rebroadcasts available on Internet steaming video at http://www.citv5.com/. 

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Parade winners

• Overall winner, $100 -- Eaton Electrical, "Christmas Vacation"
• Beth Davis, Mayoral Award, $50 -- Washington-Monroe Grade School and PTO, "Polar Express"
• Chamber Award for Best Representation of Theme, $50 -- Mystery Ink, Elizabeth's and Capone's, "Christmas Vacation"
• Grand Marshal (Patrick Doolin) Award, $50 -- Mount Pulaski Cub Scout Pack 122
• Parade Volunteers Choice, $50 -- Personal Development Institute, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"
• Santa Float Award, $50 -- Lincoln Elks Lodge 914

Business, industry, government category:

• First place, $50 -- Nobbe Eye Care Center, "For Your Eyes Only"
• Second place, $25 -- Wal Mart, "Charlie Brown Christmas"

Religious and youth groups:

• First place, $50 -- Logan County 4-H Federation, "Christmas Vacation"
• Second place, $25 (tie) -- Carroll Catholic School, "Christmas Story," and Girl Scout Troop 53, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"

Not-for-profit and charitable organizations:

• First place, $50 -- CIEDC, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"
• Second place, $25 -- Lincoln College Student Government and Rotaract, "It's a Wonderful Life at Lincoln College"

Honorable mention:

• Maple Ridge Care Centre, "Little House on the Prairie"
• Maple Club, "Amahl and the Night Visitors"
• Land of Lincoln Antique Tractor and Engine Club, "Polar Express"
• Tiny Treasures Day Care, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"
• Spotlight Entertainment, "A Karaoke Christmas"
• Illini Bank, "Christmas Lights"

Special notes of appreciation:

• Diane Slack, Midwest Records Storage, served as volunteer coordinator for this year's parade.
• Lincoln Elks Lodge 914 sponsored the Santa float.
• Chamber staff and volunteers distributed Ho-Ho-Holiday shopping coupons.
• Judges for the 2005 parade were Marcia Greenslate from the Lincoln Park District; Adam May, AMP Studio; and Kim O'Donoghue, CEFCU.
• CITV5 filmed the parade to broadcast throughout the holiday season.
• White Auction donated their auction truck to serve as the judges' viewing stand.

Weather:

Cold -- 9 degrees -- but clear. One to 2 inches of snow had fallen the previous night. All bands canceled due to the weather.

[Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce]

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