If it looks and sounds like a parade…

GENTRY — An unofficial and unsanctioned Christmas parade was held in Gentry on Dec. 12, with colorful and lighted floats, cars, trucks and equestrian units making their way down Main Street and then down Pioneer Lane.

Candy was tossed out to spectators lining, but spaced, along the streets, and children were able to see Santa Claus waving to them at the end of the parade and wishing all a Merry Christmas.

The pandemic did not make visits with Santa possible.

Though there were fewer floats and probably a few more decorated cars and trucks in the parade, perhaps the biggest difference was the lack of city vehicles and the McKee Foods semi at the end.

And, instead of riding in the boom of a Gentry ladder truck, Santa was riding more comfortably in his easy chair on a small trailer and waving to youngsters as he passed by.

All of this may just go to show that the private sector can put on a parade to rival those which are officially sanctioned.

It appears that the event was organized by Randy Cripps and others, via Facebook, determined not to let the coronavirus pandemic keep Gentry residents from a tradition that has played a part in the annual Christmas celebration here for generations.

The end result was a “non-parade,” as some have called it, that rivaled the real parade of past years and has kept the tradition alive in a tough year when the real event couldn’t be sanctioned.

All, I think it is safe to say, look forward to the return of the “official parade” again next year, when and if the pandemic becomes a thing of the past.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Randy Moll) Colorfully lighted and decorated vehicles and trailers were a big part of the community Christmas parade on Main Street in Gentry.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Randy Moll) Some parade participants rode in the back of decorated pickup trucks during the community Christmas parade on Main Street in Gentry.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Randy Moll) Floats with riders tossing candy to those watching along the street were a part of the community Christmas parade on Main Street in Gentry.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Randy Moll) Gentry alumni tossed candy to spectators as they paraded down Main Street in Gentry.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Randy Moll) Children riding atop this dump truck tossed candy to those watching along the street.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Randy Moll) Among the cars on Main Street was this off-roading-in-style Cadillac.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Randy Moll) A large group of horses and riders participated in the parade.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Randy Moll) Though not riding on a fire truck this year, Santa appeared and waved to children during the parade.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Randy Moll) Numerous classic cars were decorated and driven down Main Street in the community Christmas parade in Gentry.