Operation Santa Claus Parade

Today was the day of our Town's annual Operation Santa Claus Parade. The first year we moved into town, during the first week of December, we found a paper bag from the local grocery store, with a note attached announcing the Operation Santa Claus Parade, and instructions to fill the bag with food drive food, as well as a time when volunteers would come around with a parade to pick it up. We filled our bag, and on the scheduled day, we were alerted to the parade's arrival by sirens sounds through town. This parade has become a Christmas tradition that I look forward to every year.

The parade lasts for 3 days, every evening for a couple of hours, the local police and fire station, along with volunteers, parade through the neighborhoods collecting the food donation bags. Our street is on one of their routes. So when we heard the sirens today, we quickly put the dogs in my bedroom (they aren't too fond of the sirens), and went outside on our front porch with our food drive bag.

One of our local police officers leads the way.

Then some of the fire station vehicles, and ambulance.

Next are the fire engines.

Here comes Santa riding on one of our town's older yellow fire trucks- I love this old fire truck! The volunteers collected our donation and passed out candy canes.

Hello Santa! Santa also visits during our Singing Christmas Tree Production at the High School every year, my daughter is in the concert choir, and Dad's been helping put together the set for the last couple of weeks. This Thursday is the first of 4 shows- can't wait!!

Here's the other yellow fire engine.

More siren's and emergency vehicles.

See you next year! I love parades, what a great way to drum up support for a food drive, as well as a fun town tradition.

Today I decided to stay home from church so I wouldn't pass my cold on to my Sunday school class, my daughter taught class for me, she does a great job. While the whole family was gone at church I unpacked more Christmas decorations.

Here are my Christmas Carolers, I have had these for years, and I love bringing them out every year.

We were a couple of days behind, but the kids started their advent calendars yesterday, I love advent calendars, when I was a child we had beautiful papers advent calenders, I was always excited to see the picture behind the door. When I was older we started getting chocolate filled advent calendars, and I have purchased these for my kids ever since they were toddlers.

Last night was the Winter Formal at the High School- Sarah and Joseph looked great, I had fun taking tons of pictures. Such a nice picture of brother and sister! They had fun along with all of their friends at the dance.

I am looking forward to lots of baking and more decorating this week. What are your community Christmas traditions?