Santa is coming Along with color guard, floats, bands
With a police escort, the 44th annual Spirit of Christmas Parade will be led off at 10 a.m. Friday by a color guard provided by Boy Scout Troop 39.
Following them will be elected officials, and then crowd favorite Butler Golden Tornado Marching Band. The Tornado will also be appearing in a parade at Walt Disney World on Dec. 29 and the Citrus Bowl Parade on Dec. 30 in Orlando, Fla.
Other bands performing along the route will be the Moniteau High School marching band and the local Flames & Flickers. The General Butler Vagabonds will lead in the big guy himself.
A highlight of this year's parade will be a live performance by Nashville recording artist Sarah Wilson, a native of Chicora. When she reaches the reviewing stand in a truck "tricked out" in Pittsburgh Steelers colors, Wilson will sing "Walkin' on the Blue Side," a song to be released in January on her new CD.
Dual reviewing stands will be located on either side of Main Street in front of Diamond Park and the Butler County Courthouse.
Performing the duties of master of ceremonies will be Butler Eagle General Manager Ron Vodenichar and Theresa Brick from Embarq public affairs.
The Butler Eagle and Embarq are sponsoring the parade again this year.
Said Brick, "I'm so excited that the Spirit of Christmas Parade is just around the corner. We're all looking forward to hearing the beat of the marching band, taking in the many beautiful floats, and watching for a glimpse of Santa and his sleigh!
She added, "Our Embarq employee volunteers really get into the spirit of the holidays by decorating our trucks and witnessing the magical wonder of the holidays unfold all around them during the parade."
Because of the 10 a.m. start time, Main Street will be closed at about 9 a.m. The CB Rangers will be helping police officers direct traffic.
The parade will march south on Main Street from Penn Street toward Wayne Street.Entrants will be lining up a little differently this year.Floats will still be gathering in the parking lot at Westminster Presbyterian Church on North Main Street, where church elder Harry Glenn will again help provide participants with a warm refuge, coffee and restrooms. Traffic will be restricted on Penn Street between McKean and Washington streets.Bands on the other hand will be lining up on West Penn and North Cedar Streets near Emily Brittain Elementary School. Consequently, North Cedar Street will be closed from West Penn to Pearl streets.Prizes again will be awarded to community groups and commercial entries.Community groups are eligible for cash awards in the categories of best overall, most original, best theme and best appearance. There will also four honorable mentions awarded.Commercial entries will compete for first, second and third place plaques.All entrants will receive a framed certificate.Judges for the parade are: Rich Wilson from CORA Corp., Marci McDeavitt from Promotions with Personality, and Cathy Glascow from Butler County Ford.Santa Claus accompanied by his elves will conclude the parade and then meet with children at the Penn Theater on Main Street after the parade until about 12:30 p.m. Children can tell Santa their Christmas wishes and receive a treat bag. At 12:15 p.m., the film "Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas" will be shown in the big theater, a tradition. Activities are free.
