Santa Claus rides in style in Saturday’s Good Hope Christmas Parade. (Christy Perry for The Cullman Tribune)
GOOD HOPE – Postponed from last week due to rain, the Good Hope Christmas Parade went on as scheduled Saturday, after a rainy morning gave way to a cloudy but pleasant afternoon. The parade began at the high school and ended in front of city hall at Municipal Park, where Christmas in the Park festivities, including visits with Santa Claus, were waiting for all to enjoy.
Serving as grand marshal of this year’s parade, Thurman Ryan, a United States Navy veteran who served in the Pacific during World War II, waved at everyone while looking sharp in his dress blue jumper and dress beret.
The Good Hope Raider and Hanceville Bulldog marching bands performed in the parade, and members of the Good Hope High School football team were met with cheers as they rode by waving at fans. Other participants included the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the Good Hope and Dodge City fire departments, Good Hope Mayor Jerry Bartlett and city council members, local churches, and several horses dressed for the holidays.
As everyone made their way to the park, the Good Hope High School Student Government Association was ready to serve free chili, hot dogs, corn chips and drinks. Several members of the city council, city employees and Bartlett prepared their favorite homemade chili recipes. Who made the best chili was heavily debated.
Councilman Taft Dillashaw joked, “I’m pretty sure I brought the best one,” but he did give the credit to his wife.
Families were treated to train rides, elf photo cutouts and craft tables. Children could make, color and decorate fun ornaments to take home. One tent over was the main attraction- Santa Claus. Kids lined up waiting for their chance to talk to and get pictures with Santa. Santa’s helper made sure every child received cute iced gingerbread men and reindeer food to put out for Rudolph and his pals on Christmas Eve.
Bartlett was pleased with the turnout, smiling, “I thought for the weather we were dealt that we had a good crowd and we fed everyone some pretty good food.”
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