Christmas in the Park and Parade enjoyed by all

Published 2:03 pm Wednesday, December 21, 2005

As dusk began to fall, children and their parents, friends, and even the senior generation began to gather along Hatley Street, into the downtown park that just a few minutes before had been almost vacated. The magic of the holiday season was drawing folks from the far reaches of Hamilton County into the Christmas atmosphere of bright lights, children’s laughter and excitement as the annual Christmas parade and old Santa neared the town of Jasper.



The folks were bundled up, trying to escape the unusual cold winds that swept around them, but it did not hinder their joyful spirits and the fact that their favorite time of the year was here and they were going to enjoy it.



The great smells of food drifted through the park as vendors who had set up food and craft booths began their cooking and the excited squeals of children being entertained with rock climbing, pony riding and the children’s train rides filled the air. “Christmas in the Park ” was in full force and everyone was having a great time.



Then the sirens of Hamilton County law enforcement vehicles grabbed their attention. “The parade is coming! The “parade is coming!” the shrill sounds noted as people stopped visiting and grabbed their favorite spots along the parade route, waiting for this special moment when the floats would come by with those special ones in their lives.



Floats with beautiful children, community leaders, churches and organizations, motor cyclists, beauty queens, the Air Force ROTC and the Hamilton County High School Band entertained the excited groups of family and friends as it slowly moved to the end in the Bank of America parking lot.



Only photographs can tell the “real story.” So relax and enjoy “A Jasper Christmas in 2003” collage.



“WE WISH ALL OF

YOU A BIG MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM

THE JASPER NEWS!”