Photos & Story by Griffin Pritchard

Special to the Elmore/Autauga News

Editor’s Note: We will also have the FULL photo gallery on our Facebook page under Elmore Autauga News. This will make it easy to tag, share and comment.

The Christmas on the Coosa parade – Wetumpka’s annual celebration of community and Christmas – had a bit of a different flavor this year, being held at night and during the week for the first time. Originally scheduled for Saturday past, the parade was rescheduled due to the threat of inclement weather.

Even with a new time and a make-shift date, the spirits weren’t dimmed. The parade this year was one of the largest since its inception featuring a mixture of twirlers, cheerleaders, the Wetumpka High football team and the local Griswolds complete with oversized Christmas tree and an ill-fitting speedo.

This year’s parade – aside from being at night and on a Tuesday – had a different point of origin, rolling out from the newly constructed Farmer’s Market in West Wetumpka instead of typically lining up along the streets just past the Bibb Graves Bridge.

While inclement weather stymied the full event – vendors, a skiing Santa and the parade – it didn’t thwart the revival of the city’s Character Breakfast, held Saturday morning in two sessions. The event drew a crowd of 360 children, parents and grands and featured a litany of characters (just shy of 40, all told) thanks to an effort by members of the community.

See more photos below. We will also have a gallery on our Facebook page of all photos, which can be shared and tagged.