A large-for-the-weather crowd converged on Clarkesville Saturday to celebrate the season. Hundreds lined Washington Street for the annual Habersham County Christmas parade. This year’s theme – A Storybook Christmas – was brought to life on floats displaying a wide range of stories from The Grinch to The Polar Express.
The Habersham Central High School Band of Blue filled the cold evening air with warm holiday tunes. Kids of all ages filled bags full of candy thrown from the floats.
A real storybook Christmas
Winter Storm Benji set the stage for a real storybook Christmas with the record-breaking snowfall it dumped on Habersham Friday into early Saturday. The snow covered lawns and twinkling lights on floats, lampposts and trees cast a wintry wonderland feel over the festivities.
As the last horse and fire engine faded from sight, some parade goers headed for home. Others took advantage of downtown stores’ extended shopping hours. Some warmed up with hot meals at downtown restaurants. Others lingered on the lawn near the city gazebo waiting to take pictures with Santa and count down to the lighting of the tree.
Criticism and cheer
On social media, some publicly criticized organizers for not canceling the parade and other activities due to the weather, but those who attended say they’re glad the evening went on as planned.
Martha Tolbert of Clarkesville came “to see the lighting of the tree” with her grandson. As she took in the glistening lights and Christmas music that played over the town’s new outdoor speakers, her grandson played in the snow.
He wasn’t alone.
Snowball fights, giggles and chatter filled the night air as families, friends, neighbors and strangers sipped hot chocolate, roasted s’mores, and tried to figure out the Windows at Woods. The short, live action dramas performed in storefront windows at Woods Department Store depicted scenes from Christmas stories. Onlookers were asked to figure out and write down the names of the stories for a chance to enter into a gift drawing. Winners will be announced at a later date.
The winners of the parade were announced during A Downtown Clarkesville Christmas celebration. RJ’s RV Service took third place for its Grinch float. Refuge Baptist Church claimed second place for The Polar Express. All Occasion Flowers won first.
John Krippner and his wife Kimberli were among those who stayed to visit with friends and Santa after the parade. Their granddaughters, 3-year-old Harper and 15-month-old Berkley, were wide-eyed with wonder at all the holiday bustle.
Perhaps the widest eyes were those set on Santa. Asked if he had anything to say to the children of Habersham, Santa Claus offered these words of advice, “Study hard and do the best you can. Always say ‘yes sir’ and ‘no sir’, ‘yes, ma’am’ and ‘no ma’am’.” He threw in a Merry Christmas and a hearty “Ho, Ho” and he promised to come back on Christmas Eve.
