CLEARFIELD – After only six weeks of planning, the parade that almost didn’t happen marched from Market Street to the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks lodge #540 for kids to meet Santa and get some food.
This year was the first year the community’s Christmas parade has been run by the Elks. The Elks Entertainment Committee had only begun work on it in November.
Arriving by train, Santa Claus greeted children near Agway before the start of the parade. Mr. and Mrs. Claus rode near the procession in a horse drawn sleigh. The sleigh rode on a wheeled frame to allow it to move along the paved roads.
“We thought it was nice. A little quick, which is good because it’s cold,” said Amy Finn. Finn also commented on the nice turn out.
The day saw temperatures drop down into the 20’s, and most of the crowd was stationed along Second Street.
“It was pretty fun,” said Jennifer Floyd and Tyler Davis simultaneously, members of the Clearfield Bison Band, after the parade when asked what they thought of being a part of it.
“You get to make people smile,” said Floyd.
After the parade, children and parents were allowed into the Elks’ Lodge for another visit with Santa to receive a stocking and to have a photo taken.
“Oh, it’s wonderful. It’s wonderful they’re doing this for the kids,” said Victoria Millinder.
“Very nice. There was a nice line out on market street,” said Dave Gallaher, one of the coordinating directors of the Elks Entertainment Committee. “You’d think it was fair time.”
Parents and children were lined up through the front doors of the Elks, and down the block a ways as they waited in line after the parade.