"If you're not in the parade, you watch the parade. That's life."
Mike Ditka
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| The firetruck that is our transport and adult kids toy |
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| Santa's elf fixing toys for kids |
It
is game on and we are ready for our favorite parade of the year, the
Augusta Christmas Parade. We have collected stuffed animals for the
last two years since last years parade got rained out and we are
ready to see the children’s smiling faces when they get a candy, beads, or
catch a stuffed animal.Joe spent the night before fixing all the animals that needed fixing. We wish we had enough for all the children
but between our group, we did pretty well getting a lot of toys to
the children this year.
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| Tailgating before the big event |
We
met up at the parade site on Broad Street just after four where we
continued to decorate the firetruck and trailer with Christmas bells,
stockings, and Christmas balls. Denise had spent some time putting
up lights on the trailer earlier in the day and it looked fantastic.
It was wonderful getting together with some of our friends that we
only get to see once or twice a year and celebrate the season.
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| Nice feed and Rosie, the dog all dressed and ready for Santa |
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| Keg on back of truck - picture courtesy of David Riha. |
Barry
brought a table and set it up the food that Deborah had made for our
tailgating party. She cooked pork chops for sandwiches and made
some delicious pizza’s. We also had a variety of chips to munch
on before the parade. The keg was in place and set up with tap on
the firetruck for anyone who wanted a beer. The Christmas parade
has become a tradition with our group every year where we meet up,
eat some great food and have beer or whatever you bring to drink, and
be in parade. The firetruck is co-owned by I believe six people who
help maintain it and has become our groups toy for adults.
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| Nate and Tim in their Christmas outfits. |
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| Heather and Joe - picture courtesy of Deborah Rodriguez |
Many
of us dressed up for the occasion with Christmas outfits, Christmas
colors, and flashing lights and all were in a celebratory mood. Tis
the season! Time just flew by and before we knew it, we had to pack
up and get moving. The truck hesitated in starting just long enough
that it put us behind our normal spot but not a problem. It ran
smoothly through the parade and we got to be closer to Santa.
As
we came down Broad Street, at first there were only a few people
watching but looking ahead you could see the large the crowds looming
ahead. The further we went down Broad Street the more people
there were. We started tossing and handing out toys to the little
ones. The first ones to receive their stuffed animals just hugged
them, looked at them, and hugged them again. The parents mouthed,
“Thank you to us.” That is what it is all about. That made
our day.
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| The parade has begun. Lots of light noise - but you get the idea. |
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| Check out the cool lit balloons. |
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| Barry - picture courtesy of Joe Sepielli |
They
weren’t all thankful and respectful but one story I would like to
share was impressive. A mom wanted to get a stuffed animal so badly
for her teenager son that she literally pushed another smaller child down to
get the toy. When she did get it, she gave it to her son. Her
son, being a kind hearted soul, turned to the child we were aiming at
and gave it to her. She may of acted poorly but her son made up for
it manyfold. All in all, the people were wonderful, well behaved,
and very appreciative of our gifts. One man walked up to the fire
truck just to say to us what a wonderful thing we were doing and how
special it is for the children.
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| Historic Imperial Theater |
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| Blue Horse Restaurant |
We
passed the reviewing stand as as usual got to see our friend Mark who
was filming for the news and got us on film. Everyone was waving
and smiling saying, “Merry Christmas.” The reviewing stand was at
The Commons so we got to see the Augusta Christmas tree all lit up
and looking gorgeous. Then we passed the Imperial Theater which
looked gorgeous with it marque all lit up. Many of the stores were
decorated up for Christmas.
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| Our trailer - meticulously decorated by Denise |
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| Note all the bags in the front filled with stuffed animals. |
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| Can you see the train way up in front? |
Our
position in the parade, because of the truck not starting right away
was a couple spots ahead of Santa at the end of the parade. It was a
perfect location with us throwing gifts and then the children seeing
Santa. As we got close to 6th Street where the parade
turns, we ended up stopping. I looked up ahead and saw that the
Norfolk Southern Freight train was blocking the parade route since it
is one of the few towns that a train goes right down the middle of a
road in the city. I laughed and thought it was hysterical. Only
in Augusta can a parade be divided by a train passing through on a
downtown street. When we turned down 6th Street, the
crowds were bigger than I’d ever seen them. I’m glad the people
were patient.
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| Tara, Heather, and Tim - picture courtesy of Joe Sepielli |
We
were unsure how it would go since the last twenty years Augusta has
had a daytime parade, but it was well attended. There were many
floats, school bands, golf carts, and even the big man in red at the
end of the parade. This parade was put on by the Ronald McDonald
House Charities of Augusta and the city of Augusta and the proceeds
from the parade were going to the Ronald McDonald house to help
families staying there while a sick child is being treated.
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| The main attraction - the Big Man in Red. |
If
you didn’t get to the parade this year, make it a plan for next
year. And if there is anyone who would like to donate stuffed
animals that are used in great shape or new, please send me a message
– sheathers@knology.net
or via the blog. The more we get, the more children we can make
happy next year. Have a Merry Christmas to all. Bye for now.
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| Santa |
Old Fashioned Christmas Parade
Lena Townsend
We gather on the streets
Lining up in the cold
Waiting just to see them
Remembering days of old.
The harnesses made of leather
Their bells are colored gold
Horses pull their carriages
And prance into our souls.
Here comes the Christmas carolers
But Santa steals the show
As the children gather candy
Look how their little eyes glow.
Our hearts filled with Spirit
We enjoy each rendition
The Old Fashioned Christmas Parade
A Augusta, Georgia tradition. *
*(The last line of this poem said A Lawrence, Kansas Tradition but I changed it to fit our fine town.)
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