25 entries tallied in Christmas parade
The annual Albany Lighted Christmas Parade wound its way through the downtown area last Saturday evening, kicking off the Christmas season.
The parade and drawings held through the day on Saturday for Albany Bucks were both part of the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s Small Town Saturday celebration.
A total of $1,500 in Albany Bucks was given out to participants during a series of drawings during the afternoon, culminating with the top two winners drawn just prior to the start of the parade at 6:00 p.m.
“We thought everything went very well,” Chamber officer Megaen Birdwell said. “The floats were awesome, and the crowd was great. I think people had a great time.”
About 25 entries lined up for the parade on vehicles ranging from full fledged floats to antique cars, golf carts, ATV’s, bikes, and scooters.
“I heard a lot of comments from people saying it was the best parade yet,” Chamber manager Brandi Lehew said. “It was a great way to kick off the season.”
Country western singer Gary P. Nunn, who was in town for a performance later at the Aztec Theater, served as the Parade Marshal.
The best overall entry was awarded to the Art and Betty Viertel family. The couple and about 40 of their immediate family walked or rode on a variety of conveyances, with the main couple in an ATV with a sign stating “All Because Two People Fell in Love.”
The top prize was $200, followed by $150 for first, $100 for second, and $75 for third place in each of four categories.
Winners included the following: Best Float/Individual Entry – 1. Texas Rangers Fan Float. 2. The Calliope. 3. Pleasant Harvest Strawberry Farm.
Best Classic Car – 1. Popa’s Christmas Float/1951 Ford. 2. 1928 Ford Model A Speedster/ Little Red. 3. 1963 Plymouth Barracuda.
Best ATV/Mule/Golf Cart – 1. “All I Want for Christmas is a Real Good Tan.” 2. The Lambshead CanAm. 3. Carter Cart.
BestOrganization/Club – 1. MMPC Hunting, Fishing, & Loving Jesus. 2. Albany Senior Activity Center. 3. Shackelford County Rural Fire Dept.
Winners of the Albany Bucks have until Jan. 31, 2024 to spend the scrip at any of the merchants, redeeming it for merchandise. The Albany Bucks have no cash value and change can not be given in cash.
The Bucks can be spent at The Albany News, Blanton-Caldwell Trading Company, Buds For You, Erline’s, EZ Feed, Me & Mrs. Jones, Rustic Charm, Sassifrass, Southern Comfort Boutique, The Shop, Vintage Vanilla, and local restaurants.
Sponsors of the parade providing the prize money were Casey Beefmasters LTD, George and Prissy Harvick, Momentum Operating Co., Cotter & Neff CPA’s,EBAAIron,JonRex Jones, Jones Ag & Service Company,HulltownCattle Co., Stasney Well Service, David Cleveland, and The Albany News.
