Lightening the load: Evening Abilene holiday parade lifts pandemic-era spirits
City sidewalks were full of people, and a few critters, Tuesday night.
It was a wonderful Christmas season evening for the lights parade, which was not held last year due to a pandemic surge locally.
What a contrast 12 months later, when folks were shoulder to shoulder and seated even in the streets as the year's biggest parade passed by.
Another reason for the great attendance, besides the reduction in Taylor County COVID cases and deaths, was the pleasant evening. It was cool but not cold.
And yet another was the change of route. The northward trek on Pine Street was cut two blocks short because of the hotel construction zone between North Fifth and Sixth streets.
That packed the crowd more tightly, causing some to wonder if the taller parade entries could get under the First Financial Bank walkway.
It's hard to pick a highlight, as always. But older folks got a chuckle seeing an old-school station wagon with a tree tied to the top.
And the eight women pushing shopping carts from Vintage Marketplace — doing a few synchronized spins even — was a laugh.
Five of the six local marching bands performed, Hardin-Simmons and McMurry joining in after not participating in the recent Veterans Day parade. Abilene Christian was absent.
High school musicians cleverly decorated themselves and their instruments, some trumpet players blowing into a gift box.
The Quick Change Award goes to Abilene High senior Brooke Garduno. She is an assistant drum major in the marching band, so she had that duty. Then, she changed outfits to jump on the Patty Harper Dance Studio float to promote their upcoming show (Dec. 11), "Once Upon a Christmas Eve."
If you thought you saw her twice, you did.
The Most Creative Award? Maybe to Mann Middle School students, who created and wore oversized Charlie Brown character costumes. Good grief, that took some work.
One thing about this parade is you've got to press on.
We noticed someone outfitted as a tree who was walking the route. He or she was challenged by the clunky costume and no doubt was worn out by the end of the parade.
And one of the colorful, brightly lighted low-riders had a flat. Riding really low, they cruised along. Ironically, there were wreckers behind them.
Finally, one cowgirl abandoned her buggy to walk her horse, which seemed to want to gallop. She had to lean backward to control the horse. Bet she was worn out at the end, too.
Pardon us if we missed Santa, but we didn't see him. But we saw the Grinch. Again and again and again. For a "mean one," he's pretty popular.
We saw one political candidate, Phil Crowley, who announced his intention to run for Taylor County judge in 2022.
This parade, more than any other, is an advertising opportunity. Since Abilene is a big small town, that works. Businesses and churches decorated work vehicles or trailers to promote themselves with holiday spirit.
With more than 100 entries and taking more than an hour, the parade was worth folks' time. Those coming early enjoyed an hourlong performance by the Abilene Community Band under the Paramount Theatre marquee. Director Joe Stephens led the volunteer musicians through popular songs of the season, including "White Christmas." The movie will show at the theater Dec. 10-11, with the band having its Christmas concert there Dec. 14.
And so, the holiday season.
It was sad not to see the huge lighted tree at the south entrance to the Convention Center. And, for a second year, Abilene ISD students and other groups did not perform.
It wasn't quite the City Sidewalks event that we've come to know.
But it was wonderful to see downtown filled with merry-makers. And the tree will be lighted at about 6 p.m. Monday, this year at City Hall.
And if you tried to find a place to eat afterward, you found lines as long as the parade.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Lightening the load: Evening holiday parade lifts pandemic-era spirits
