BY SARAH STEPHENS, OWNER/EDITOR
PHOTOS BY BOB EALUM, SARAH STEPHENS
Downtown Holtville/Slapout in Elmore County was teaming with people Monday evening, Dec. 9, for the annual Christmas Parade. Participants gathered early at Holtville School for decorating and mingling, and with an escort from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the group began making their way up Hwy. 111, making a left on to Lightwood Road to City Hall.
The population of the small town is just around 4,000, but the spirit is much bigger! The feel was straight Americana, where everyone knows everyone and people still come to help out a neighbor in need, indeed.
Along the parade route, families sat on tailgates, on blankets or stood in groups to wave as floats passed by, and candy flew through the night air.
Volunteers were selling food and drinks to benefit the Holtville/Slapout Fire Department.
Fire trucks from Holtville/Slapout, Elmore, Lightwood, Deatsville and Wetumpka lit up the night with lights and loud sirens to the delight of the crowd. Horses and their riders clip clopped on the pavement, and Christmas music flowed from many of the floats. Beauty queens, businesses, politicians, horses with hats and churches were among the floats. New Hope Baptist Church had a small ensemble of musicians playing Christmas music. Rounding out the parade was Santa himself, with the young ones showing their excitement.
Thank you to everyone who helped organize this parade! We love the good community news! Merry Christmas to you all.