One of my favorite events in Vicksburg rolled through downtown Saturday.
The Christmas Parade of Lights is a yearly tradition in the Barry household. It is our chance to wander in and out of the shops downtown and immerse ourselves in Vicksburg culture. It’s also our chance to feel like kids again and be awed with the parade of lights on floats, cars, motorcycles and people.
Downtown is always decorated beautifully for the holidays and the streets sparkle with lights strung up on light posts and trees. This year is no exception.
There’s something about seeing a parade float adorned with twinkling lights blaring Christmas music that brings out the child in me. Christmas has always been my favorite holiday.
It’s not the gluttony of presents that draws me; it’s the blinking colored lights I like best. Red, green and blue twinkling lights festooned on antique tractors rumbling down Washington Street is quite a sight.
The weather was perfect for a parade, not too cold and not too hot, but a slight breeze made things just right.
Kansas City Southern’s Holiday Express made a stop downtown the night before and thousands of people turned out to visit the Christmas themed train.
We live in a small community and there’s plenty of things to do during the holidays. Santa visited the Southern Heritage Air Museum Saturday before making his way to the parade that night.
Frances Koury was a grand marshal for the parade along with Dr. Jeffery P. Holland. Koury and her husband Ellis owned and operated Koury’s Children’s Shop for 63 years and was instrumental in bringing a number of cultural events to the city. It was fitting that this extraordinary woman was honored during an event that draws so many to downtown.
One thing was missing from this year’s parade. My wife wasn’t with me as other obligations kept her busy this year.
She won’t be busy next year. That’s another thing to look forward to.
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Paul Barry is the managing editor and can be reached by email at paul.barry@vicksburgpost.com or by phone at 601-636-4545 ext. 123.