Huge attendance at Christmas parade
Balmy temps bring people out to parade
By Brandy Nance
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
It was nearly 70 degrees when the barricades went up this evening and the floats lined up for Emporia’s annual Christmas parade.
People lined the streets, most in light jackets or no jackets at all taking advantage of the warm weather before a possible winter storm encroaches on the balmy temperatures. Emporia is under a winter storm watch through tomorrow. Parade-goers couldn’t believe the temperatures.
“It’s a big change from last year,” said Rob Emerson, of Emporia. “It was freezing this time last year.”
Rob Emerson was waiting for the parade to start with his wife, Sarah Emerson and their son, Matthew, 5.
“I like the lights and he loves it,” Sarah Emerson said pointing to Matthew.
Being at the parade brought back memories for Sarah Emerson.
“I remember being in the (parade) as a baton twirler,” she said, with a smile.
Rob Emerson also had a memory to share.
“I’m from a smaller town,” he said. “I remember (one year) when they put the horses in front of the bicycles and they had to ride through the manure.”
Barbara Unruh, of Emporia, was at the parade with her great-granddaughter Tanya Rhoads, 9. Unruh said she likes everything about the parade.
“I like the lights, the colors,” Unruh said. “I love parades. I’m just a kid at heart.”
Tanya said she likes the horses.
“If it has horses in it, I would probably like that more,” she said. “I also like the floats.”
“And the candy,” Unruh chimed in as Tanya nodded, smiling.
Amanda Rodriguez, of Emporia, was at the parade with her family. She said it was their first time her family had been out to the parade.
“A parade is like family time,” Rodriguez said. “And it’s free.”
Benny Rodriguez, 10, was eager to talk about what he liked about the parade.
“They are fun,” Benny said. “I love when the band comes along. I like the way they had people on the floats.”
As the floats and bands went by, Kellie Stone, one of Emporia’s newest residents, enjoyed her first Christmas parade with her daughter Daiseymay, 3, and her son, Ezekiel, 15 months.
“It’s fun,” Stone said. “This is something new for us. We’re from Oregon. We moved to Emporia on Thanksgiving day.”
Daiseymay eagerly gazed down Commercial Street before the parade started.
“She has been asking ‘are we going to Christmas?” Stone said as she called to Daiseymay who was still trying to get a peek at the start of the parade. “She doesn’t quite grasp all this. This is a place we can go.”
The parade, with all its lights and music ended around 8 p.m. at a balmy 62 degrees.
“It’s amazing,” Emerson said.