Mathews Christmas Parade

Saturday afternoon, the state of Alaska Mathews County hosted a Christmas parade.

(It was a bitterly cold--but otherwise beautiful--sunny day.)

My friend Alda wasn't in the parade, but, no matter where she goes, 
Alda pretty much is her own parade.  

Lisa's daughter Malia marched with the MHS cheerleaders. 

It was great to see so many friendly faces. 

Laura Lane 

As usual, there were some creative floats.

Our county supervisors were definitely on board.

This isn't your run-of-the-mill Christmas parade.

No siree.

The Abominable Snowman made an appearance.

So did Charlie Brown.  
And his tree! 

The Grinch was sporting some mighty fine shoes. Mighty fine, I tell you.

There were tractors young and old.

Big and bigger.

Lots of smiling, happy faces.

And plenty of children.

This isn't something you see every day...

The equestrian entries were elegant.

Glenda, Betsy and Alda.  And Alda's hat.
(Note to Self:  Self? Get one of those hats!)

Mathews County Visitor & Information Center's Director Jonathan Putt sips something warm while watching the parade. I recently had the honor of being asked to serve on MCVIC's board and look forward to helping the county's tourism efforts in any way possible.  

A good time was had by all!

Mathews Christmas Parade, Part II

Here are shots of some of the equine entries in the recent Mathews Christmas parade.

Santa Claus sealed up the end of the festivities by sailing in on a bright red Ford.

Merry Christmas.

Mathews Christmas Parade, Part I

Saturday's sunny skies drew a great crowd for Mathews County's Christmas parade.

There were way too many, my ears are still ringing lots of loud sirens.

And several silent striders.

It was warm enough to wear shorts!  I'm guessing those guys in the heavy cloaks and fluffy, feathered hats were wishing they'd opted for another outfit.  Bermuda shorts, polo shirt and a pith helmet, perhaps? 

This look says it all: "Meeeeeeerry Christmas!!  Is this over yet? It's 70 degrees out here, and that's in the shade, which I'd sure like to be sitting in right about now."

There were some real cuties in this year's parade.

How I resisted the urge to go cup this boy's cheeks in my hands and
smother him in kisses is beyond me.

Hello, neighbor!  She and her husband--who attended the Waverly Lane Christmas party later that evening--sponsor the high school's robotic team.  

The cast of characters was seemingly endless.

Be still my heart!  Someone else in Mathews has a crab hat!!

This is my favorite daytime parade yet, there were so many more unusual entries and lots and lots of horses, which I love. These are but a few of many photos I took; I'll post more later in the week.

In other news, I am still at home resting up from my surgery and return to work this Friday, just in time for Christmas and New Years.  But I'm feeling stronger every day.

It feels good to feel good.