Holiday revelers take in 53rd annual Spirit of Christmas parade in downtown Butler
Holiday revelers of all ages oohed and aahed at the floats, marching bands, dance school performers, animals and Santa Claus as they slowly made their way along Main Street during the 53rd annual Spirit of Christmas parade Saturday evening.
The parade was the highlight of a day full of activities held downtown to welcome the Christmas season.
Jennifer Wagner and Amanda Connors, both of Butler, brought their combined crew of seven young children and their friends to watch the parade from the crowded sidewalk.
“The kids love it. They are having so much fun,” Wagner said.
She and Connors said they attend the parade every year and enjoy the community spirit that the parade brings out in people.
“It brings a lot of people together,” Wagner said.
Raina Lewandowski of Butler liked a lot about the parade.
“The songs. Dancing. The animals,” she said, watching with her mother, Lisa.
The four-legged parade participants included alpacas, ponies, horses, goats and, of course, dogs brought by various organizations and businesses.
“I like seeing all the people I know in the parade and the kids dancing,” Lisa Lewandowski said.
Nathaniel and Sarah Poole of Butler joined their two young children, Lucas and Lilly, in wearing their Christmas pajamas to the watch the parade.
“It's more fun. It keeps me warm too,” Sarah said about her comfy-looking sleepwear.
While Lucas and Lilly waited for Santa's float, Sarah Poole said the Butler High School Golden Tornado Marching Band was her favorite marching unit.She and Nathaniel Poole said they watch the parade every year.A host of activities were held before the hourlong parade started at 5:30 p.m.They included an outdoor skating rink with an artificial ice surface in the People's Natural Gas parking lot, a life-size Candy Land game at the YMCA, selfies with Elfie, a giant snow globe, mascot mania featuring costumed cartoon characters at the New Castle Street Plaza, a hockey shootout game at the rink and the Butler Transit Authority's Stuff the Santa Bus toy, clothing and food drive for the Salvation Army.The parade theme was “A Cartoon Christmas.”
