Alton, Mo. – When November comes around, it becomes time to start thinking about the holidays, and when December comes around, the holidays are already upon you. This year December started off with Christmas decorations being hung around Alton’s square in preparation for the Christmas parade, which was scheduled for December 7- today.
Time to Line Up
The annual Christmas parade for Alton Missouri began in the high school parking lot, just like always, floats flooded in and lined up. But unlike usual, this time, the parade lineup began around 5 p.m.
Cars, decorated floats, and horses started to line up for their walk around town, Christmas lights adorning almost everyone. Parents gave last-minute encouragement to their kids, who were on the floats. Others made last-minute adjustments on their costumes and their ride (horses and cars alike).
Here it Comes
At around 5 p.m., with the floats all lined up in the right order, the parade slowly rolled out of the high school parking lot, up the hill, into open streets. People were already congregated by the streets eagerly waiting for the parade to begin. Around the square, grandparents had folding chairs set up as their grandchildren waited impatiently for the parade to pass and candy to be thrown at them. The Christmas lights from the floats shined brightly in the night air, giving a magical feel to the parade.
Going Going Gone
Various decorated floats circled the square tossing candy at the onlookers and showing off their lit-up rides before heading back to the high school. Polished cars drove slowly along on the road, revving their engines and waving at onlookers. Then came the much-awaited Santa Claus himself, ho-hoing joyously and waving at the crowd. Behind him came the horses and ponies donned in Christmas getup. Then just like that, the parade was over. Less than twenty days until Christmas.
