Everyone Loves A Parade!

By Sam Waller

For the second year in a row, the elements were a factor in the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s Small Town Saturday celebration, but this time it didn’t rain on their parade.

Twelve floats participated in the Lighted Christmas Parade on Saturday despite damp conditions.

“Considering it was raining all day and misting during the parade, I thought we had a fantastic turnout,” Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said.

While the parade went off as planned, Jones said some concessions had to be made to the conditions.

“We just cut down on the number of hours we sold the memorial ornaments, but people can still buy those here in the office,” she said. “I also still have a few of the barbed wire crosses left. They’re $10 each.”

Planned live music was replace by recorded music.

“The music started about the time Santa Claus got there,” Jones said. “It was not like we normally do because we couldn’t leave the sound system out in the weather.”

But when it came time for the main event, the show did go on.

“The rain cleared in time for everybody to get their floats finished and lined up,” Jones said. “It began misting again just about the time we started the parade, but it was nothing heavy.”

Even then, it wasn’t quite the event Jones envisioned.

“We understand based on the weather that it’s hard to decorate a float and get anything to stick to it,” she said. “And if you entered an antique car, you wouldn’t want to get it wet. And horses were not able to come because of the slick pavement.”

Still, Jones said she expects Small Town Saturday and the Lighted Christmas Parade to be bigger and better next year.

“We’ve had two rainy parade days in a row, so surely next year it won’t be rainy,” she said. “We’re hoping next year is dry and pretty, that we’ll have more floats, and more people will be able to stand outside and enjoy it.

Parade Winners

Four floats were recognized by judges for their participation in the parade, with the top three awarded a total of 225 Albany Bucks.

First place and a prize of 100 Albany Bucks went to Smokey Bear and the Albany Volunteer Fire Department. Second place and 75 Albany Bucks were awarded to Pappy’s Hay Wagon. The King & Robertson Insurance entry took third place and 50 Albany Bucks.

The Fort Griffin Fandangle’s steam-powered  calliope received honorable mention.

Albany Bucks

Drawings

Five drawings were held before the parade with each winner receiving 100 Albany Bucks.

Winners were Megaen Birdwell, Jenny Scott, James Schkade, Kelli ­Schkade, and Tracy Sullivan.

“We had several names drawn who weren’t present and lost out,” Jones said.

On Dec. 17, the Chamber will conduct 30 drawings for 50 Albany Bucks. Winners will be announced on the Chamber’s Facebook page.

“We’ll go live and talk about the drawings,” Jones said. “We’ll take a break and post 10, take a break and post 10, then take a break and post the last 10. Be sure and check on Facebook, and we’ll be calling the people as well.”

Nearly 2,500 Albany Bucks will be distributed from drawings, the parade, and house decorating contest.

“Last year, we gave out $1,000 worth of Bucks,” Jones said. “We’ve more than doubled that.”

Shoppers will have until Feb. 15 to use their Albany Bucks, which can be redeemed at any Chamber-member business.

“As long as it’s not a chain store,” Jones said. “It can be restaurants or shops.”

Decorating Contest

Albany residents can earn more Albany Bucks by participating in the Chamber’s house decorating contest.

First place will receive 100 Albany Bucks with 75 for second place and 50 for third. Residents must be entered to be judged for the contest.

Jones said there is no entry deadline.

“People just need to get entered before we start judging,” she said. “You can enter your neighbor if you see a house that needs to be entered. Last year, we had some winners that didn’t even know we were having a contest.”

Winners will be announced Dec. 20.