Hundreds enjoy Christmas Parade

Juan A. Navejar Jr.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the Hub City as the annual illuminated parade kicked off the Holiday Season in Alice.

Cool temperatures did not keep the large crowds lined up along the parade route as many in their coats, sweaters, jackets and blankets awaited for the lighting of downtown and the arrival of Santa Claus.

Before turning on the lights in downtown, Alice Mayor Larry Martinez welcomed the crowd along with Mayor Pro-Tem Michael Esparza and Councilmembers Yvette Johnson, Raul Chapa and Frank Hinojosa.

“It’s great to see so many of you out here enjoying the start of the holiday season.” Mayor Martinez said.

Along the route kids cheered and clapped as they saw floats all decked out in lights, the marching band playing Christmas music and of course the arrival of Santa Claus at the end of the parade.

“This was a huge success. We had more entries than last year which made it hard on the judges to decide on the winners,” Alice Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Juan Navejar said. “All the entries were quite unique in keeping with the theme of a Story Book Christmas.

This year’s parade winners were: Best Performance – Amy’s School of Dance, Best Church Entry – Our Lady of Guadalupe Jr. Catholic Daughters, Most Unique – H-E-B Food Store, Best Out of Town – Brush Country Fair Association, Best Youth – Cub Scout Troop 396, Best Business – Meridian Care of Alice, Best Civic – Michael V. Garcia Polar Express – Bridge, Best School Entry – Alice High School Band, Best Decorated Entry – Third Coast Jeepers, Director’s Choice Award – Alice Pediatrics.

The parade and lighting of downtown is sponsored by the Alice Chamber of Commerce/Convention Visitors Bureau and the City of Alice.