Led down the main thoroughfare by Grand Marshal WSMV meteorologist Daphne DeLoren, a better day couldn’t have been ordered for the Liberty Christm

as Parade as hundreds lined the streets of the charming hamlet to get a glimpse at the pageantry and perhaps get a handful of candy.

The 45-minute parade down the center of town on the sunny Sunday afternoon squeezed through throngs of people who packed both sides of the street. The parade included numerous floats, classic cars and trucks, school kings and queens, Mr. and Mrs. DeKalb County Lora Webb and Dr. Hugh Don Cripps, elected officials, horses and mules, fire departments, law enforcement and emergency vehicles, the DeKalb County Band and at the very end, the jolly ol’ elf himself, Santa Claus.

Following the event, Santa and Mrs. Claus made time to greet the children and even show off their reindeer.

Garnering awards for their entries in the parade included Oakley’s Thrift Store of Smithville which took first in the floats for their Peanuts entry. Second place went to the Dowelltown Baptist Church with the theme “Unwrap the meaning of Christmas”.

Winning in classic automobiles and tractors were first place, Jeff and Ellen Herrin of Smithville for their 1953 Chevy 210. Second place was presented Donnie Bratcher for his 1964 Chevy Impala. In the children’s division, Zane Griffith of Dowelltown got first while Alexis Reynolds took second.

The Smithville parade will be held this Saturday at 1 p.m. beginning at Smithville Elementary and running to downtown. Lineup is at the school at 11 a.m. The Alexandria parade will be Sunday at 2 p.m. with lineup on West Main at 1 p.m.