When we think of parades during the holiday season, our attention often turns to the big parades like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York or The Tournament of Roses Parade in California.
Both are spectacles, from the enormous cartoon balloons in New York to the intricate floral designs of the floats in California.
But all across the country, there are other parades rolling down the streets in towns and cities of all sizes that have a special meaning to residents. The most common are Christmas parades like the Columbus Christmas Parade, which rolled Wednesday evening. Caledonia’s Christmas Parade is set for Saturday with both Starkville and West Point staging their parades on Monday.
Every year folks line up along the parade route, sometimes three or four deep, to enjoy the festivities. The floats are usually crafted not by skilled professionals but by ordinary folks. The famous entertainers, athletes and celebrities of those big parades give way to friends and neighbors who are connected to the float sponsors, most often local businesses and civic organizations.
Small-town parades capture a nostalgic, festive magic that is often missing from larger, more commercial events.
Our parades are heartfelt, homemade and intimate rather than large and impersonal big-city extravaganzas. Our parades are a reflection of the community, each special in its own way.
There is a certain charm found in the handmade decorations, local participants, and the close-knit feeling rather than large, impersonal productions. It’s a celebration of the people, by the people and for the people of the community.
Generations have come to regard their Christmas parade as sort of the unofficial beginning of the holiday season. Bundling up against the cold, sipping hot chocolate or coffee from a thermos and cheering and waving as the procession passes unites us in a way few things do.
The parades don’t charge admission or cater to any specific group, and everyone is welcome.
It’s worth remembering that our local parades require a lot of time and effort from organizers, volunteers, police and firefighters.
Without their efforts there would be no parade, which would be unimaginable.
Merry Christmas!
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
