Greenfield's first evening Christmas parade attracts great crowd

This just may become another Greenfield holiday tradition.

In the town's first evening Christmas parade, a tremendous crowd lined Jefferson Street and the City Hall lawn in downtown Greenfield Saturday, Dec. 1.

City Manager Betty Bishop said she was thrilled with the turnout.

"Just look around at all these people," Bishop said. "This is a wonderful turnout. And the weather is just perfect," Bishop said, as evening temperatures stayed in the low 50s.

Bishop, who earlier announced her retirement at the end of the year, was honored by parade announcer Branden Jackman later in the evening.

Pat Hays, general manager of WVNU, was the 2012 parade grand marshal. Calvin Simpson served as the honorary grand marshal.

Parade entries ranged from a very creative float by Cub Scout Pack 190 – that appeared to have been hijacked by the Grinch – to a nativity scene-themed float and, of course, Mr. and Mrs. Claus receiving a ride through town courtesy of the Paint Creek Joint EMS and Fire District.

Greenfield Eagles Aerie 1325's float included: Greenfield Christmas Parade Snow Queen Kaeli Anderson, Snow King Connor Snavely, Snow Princess Kaitlyn Snavely and Snow Prince Cameron Snavely, all decked out in perfect holiday attire.

Prior to the 6 p.m. start of the parade, hundreds of people found their favorite spots for parade watching all along Jefferson Street.

Christmas musical favorites played on the sound system outside City Hall. From "Little Drummer Boy," to "Run, Run Rudolph," to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra's "Wizards in Winter," the familiar songs put parade-goers in an appropriately festive mood.

In fact, a sizable crowd gathered downtown an hour or so before the parade began.

"It's good for the community," Bishop said, as children, parents, grandparents and great-grandparents anticipated the official tree-lighting ceremony immediately following the parade.

And what a ceremony it was.

With the lighting and music choreographed by the team of Branden Jackman, Jennifer Lowe and Brenda Lester, with assistance from Bryan Stapleton of Lakeside Tree Service, the crowd cheered and cameras flashed as the City Hall Christmas tree came to light.

Families with younger children lined up for photos with Santa following the parade, while many others continued taking photos of the "Merry Christmas!" in vertical lighting on the east side of City Hall.

Merry Christmas, indeed.