By Kiesa Kay

Drizzling rain and gentle fog couldn’t stop the Landrum Christmas Parade on Thursday, Dec. 5. Spectators lined both sides of the street and soon the eager anticipation turned to shouts of joy.

“I like the horses and the trucks and stuff,” said Aubree Eskew. Her sister, Kaeli, added, “I like to see Miss Landrum.”

The Landrum Christmas parade occurs annually on the Thursday after Thanksgiving, sponsored by the Landrum Fire Department. Dever Little, Landrum Citizen of the Year, honored the parade as grand marshal. Seventy different units participated this year.

Stephanee Jacobs said, “I like all the floats and the creativity.”

Caralee Farnham, age 3, simply said, “I like the candy.”

The parade route began at the newly restored Landrum Depot and continued down E. Rutherford Street in the center of downtown.

Peppermint candies found their way into hundreds of hands, but this year candies were distributed from volunteers walking alongside the floats on the parade route instead of being tossed from the floats.

The parade included the Landrum High School Marching Band and citizens from various businesses and nonprofits rode decorated floats. Church floats had signs such as “Jesus is the reason for the season,” and “Jesus is the Greatest Wish.” The Hillbilly cars zipped along the road, and several horses pranced and whinnied as they trotted down the center of town.

Kym Jacobs said, “I like the Santa Claus.”

And there he was, gliding and waving, far above the crowd.