By Madison Fisler Lewis
Dec. 8, 2014. Despite the drizzly weather, hundreds of spectators made their way to King Street on Saturday, Dec. 6, for the annual Downtown Boone Christmas Parade. Participants marched down King Street with a wide array of floats, decorated cars, marchers and much more, all capped off with a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
“The rain may have kept some people away, but we still had a really good turnout,” said Pilar Fotta, Cultural Resources Director at the Town of Boone.
“We are always thrilled by how many people come out for the parade every year.”
The parade began its procession down King Street, the center of downtown Boone, at 11 a.m., and was followed by after parties held at the Jones House and at the Watauga County Public Library on Queen Street. For many High Country families and visitors, the event has become an annual tradition.
Attendees to the parties enjoyed homemade cookies, hot chocolate and apple juice, along with craft tables set up just for kids at the library Then, guests enjoyed hot cider and cookies at the Jones House Cultural and Community Center.
“People grow up attending this parade, and it is great to see generations of families enjoying it together,” Fotta said.
“Not every town has a parade for Christmas, and what we have here is really special. The parades have been going on as long as anyone can remember, we have photographs going all the way back to the 1950s. I think people really enjoy the old-fashioned feel of small town America and the Christmas parade is a great way to welcome that history and nostaligia. It is a long standing tradition.”
Check out the photos below of the Boone Christmas Parade.
Photos by Ken Ketchie
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