Decatur celebrates Christmas Festival, holds parade

DECATUR — With a chill in the air and with the last major holiday of 2016 only two weeks away, it was time once again on Friday to celebrate the Decatur Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas Festival and Parade and a visit from Saint Nick himself.

At 5:30 p.m., floats, decorated vehicles, horses and a band gathered in front of Decatur City Hall, ready for the start of the final parade of the year in Decatur.

Meanwhile, on Main Street, about 100 area residents braved the cold in hopes of catching a glimpse of guests of honor, Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Then, the sky lit up with lights of blue, sirens wailed, and the sound of Christmas music cut through the silence. Kids and adults alike jockeyed for the best position to view the parade and catch a handful of chocolate delights.

Leading the parade was the 2016 Miss Decatur Barbecue, Sara Garner, followed by Miss Decatur Tiny Tot princess, Jazzi Lovitt. Lovitt threw lots of candy to the children gathered along the street.

The Barbecue royalty was followed by a wide variety of vehicles, including a 4x4 sponsored by Decatur Farmers Coop, an ATV, and a 1948 Chevy pickup truck owned by Lloyd Hook of Decatur. Hook’s pickup was decorated with holiday lights that made it resemble a Christmas tree on wheels.

The Decatur High School marching band, directed by drum major Ryan Shaffer, thrilled the crowd with a variety of traditional Christmas tunes as they traversed Main Street.

In the spirit of past Decatur Barbecue and Christmas parades, three riders on horseback followed close behind the band. Caselyn Coker, Mary Hudson and Shelly Moore skillfully maneuvered their steeds through downtown Decatur.

Three floats were entered in the non-profit division of the parade. The First Baptist Church of Decatur, Decatur Sale Barn Church and Decatur United Methodist floats were decorated with seasonal lights and the messages of the Savior’s birth. With the judging complete, First Baptist of Decatur took first place, followed by the Sale Barn Church in second.

With children scurrying to pick up leftover candy and the Decatur Fire Department taking up the rear, it was time for the guest of honor. But where was Santa? Suddenly, sitting on the front bumper of DFD E-2413, Santa and Mrs. Claus appeared, spreading joy and cheer to the children and adults gathered along the route.

Then, almost as quickly as it began, Main Street in Decatur went silent as the fire truck bearing Santa disappeared out of sight.

Santa and Mrs. Claus had one more stop to make, the cafeteria at Decatur High School, where about 75 children (and a few adults) sat on Santa’s lap relaying their Christmas wishes to the jolly old elf. After meeting with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, each child was given a gift bag full of stocking stuffers.

The Decatur Chamber of Commerce expressed thanks and a wish for happy holidays to the many volunteers and sponsors who made this year’s Christmas Festival a big success.

Photo by Mike Eckels Santa and Mrs. Claus make a grand entrance on Main Street as they ride on Decatur Fire Department’s newest truck, E-2413, during the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas Parade through downtown Decatur on Dec. 9.

Photo by Mike Eckels Avianna James tells Santa Claus what she wants for Christmas during the Decatur Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas Festival in the cafeteria of Decatur High School Dec. 9.

The float of First Baptist Church of Decatur makes its way down Main St. in Decatur on Dec. 9 as part of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas Parade. This float was awarded first place in the nonprofit division by a panel of judges made...

Photo by Mike Eckels Photo by Mike Eckels The Decatur High School marching band, under the direction of drum major Ryan Shaffer (left), plays a medley of Christmas music in front of the Gallery Cafe on Main St. during the Decatur Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas Parade.

Photo by Mike Eckels Jazzi Lovitt, the reigning Decatur Barbecue Tiny Tot princess, throws candy treats to children gathered along Main Street during the Decatur Christmas Parade on Dec. 9.

Photo by Mike Eckels A mother and her two daughters wait on the curb of Main Street for the start of the 2016 Decatur Christmas Parade on Dec. 9 in downtown Decatur.