Santa makes appearance during Decatur parade

DECATUR — “Let your light shine” was the theme of this year’s Decatur Chamber of Commerce Christmas parade through downtown Decatur Friday night. And shine the participants in this year’s parade did as the caravan rolled from the car wash on the corner of Main Street and Third Avenue to Decatur City Hall via Jo Avenue.

Prior to the start of this year’s parade, longtime Decatur resident Pat Austin and the reigning Miss Decatur Barbecue Emma Haag lit the community Christmas tree at Decatur City Hall, marking the beginning of the parade.

Then it was on to Main Street for the Christmas parade and a chance to see the guests of honor, Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Soon a large crowd began to gather on the east side of downtown Decatur, waiting to see the first signs of the lead vehicles as they rounded the corner across from the iconic Decatur locomotive and caboose. They would not have to wait long.

Just after 6 p.m., traffic was stopped on North Main and both sides of Roller Avenue next to the four-way stoplight. An eerie silence came over the downtown area as kids began to move closer to the edge of the street to get into position to catch candy that was thrown from each participant in the parade.

Suddenly, the silence was pierced by the sounds of police sirens as the Decatur Police Department rounded the corner making its way to the four-way stoplight and the crowd.

Behind the Decatur Police and Fire Department vehicles came the Decatur High School marching band, led by drum major Emilio Smith-Gomez and band director Jesse Wyatt Owens. The marching band played a selection of seasonal music, followed by the familiar Decatur Bulldog fight song.

Next up were the floats. Each entry was vying for a chance at three prizes. This year’s first place float and the one that best used the “Let your light shine” theme was First Baptist Church of Decatur, followed by the city of Decatur entry. Third place went to the Fellowship Full Gospel Church. The fourth float entered in this year’s event was from the LTPP of Decatur.

Then the moment was finally at hand as Santa and Mrs. Claus rode down the street on the front bumper of the Decatur Fire Department pumper truck.

As quickly as it began, the 2022 Decatur Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas Parade was over, and another event took over, a chance to sit on Santa’s lap. This lasted about an hour, and then it was bedtime as sleepy kids of all ages turned in for a long winter’s rest, dreaming of the many gifts that would soon be delivered on Christmas Eve.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Kids of all ages go after candy thrown from a passing float during the Decatur Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas parade through downtown Decatur Friday night.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS The Decatur High School marching band makes its appearance during the Decatur Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas parade through downtown Decatur Friday night. The band provided seasonal music as well as the Decatur Bulldog fight song as they traversed through the half-mile-long parade route.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Pat Austin (left) and the reigning Miss Decatur Barbecue, Emma Haag, turn on the Decatur Christmas tree at City Hall in Decatur Friday night. The lighting of the city tree marked the beginning of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas parade through downtown Decatur.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS The siren on this Decatur Fire Department pumper truck announces the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus as they travel down Main Street in Decatur Friday night on their way to City Hall to meet kids up close and personal.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Santa and Mrs. Claus pose for a photo with one of the local kids during the Decatur Chamber of Commerce’s talk with Santa event in the community room at Decatur City Hall Friday night.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Kids of all ages go after candy thrown from a passing float during the Decatur Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas parade through downtown Decatur Friday night.