The Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce gave the Emporia community a Christmas celebration that even the Grinch could not resist Tuesday night.
The 43rd annual Christmas parade stretched along Commercial Street from Fourth to 12th Ave. with right about 80 floats in the procession. The theme for this year’s parade was “Cheer Up Dude, it’s a Grinch Christmas.”
All of the participating groups and organizations had a unique take on the theme, however, four stood out amongst the field and managed to take home one of four coveted awards.
Parade Marshall Award: Hopkins Manufacturing
Parade Committee Award: Church of the Nazarene
Chamber Award: Emporia Middle School Robotics Club
Mayor’s Award: Emporia Symphony Orchestra
Prior to the start of the parade, residents gathered to watch as Emporia Mayor Rob Gilligan lit the Mayor’s tree and to hear the annual benediction and Christmas message from pastor TR Stewart of Emporia’s Life Church.
Pastor Stewart’s message focused heavily on the virtue of hope, something he feels we have all needed to embrace more heavily over the past year than ever before.
Additionally, Pastor Stewart spoke on the importance of the holiday season and namely how important it is to “be present, rather than receive presents.”
As always, the parade was broadcast live on KVOE 1400 am and 96.9 fm and was able to be viewed on KVOE TV at KVOE.com and ValuNet Fiber Channel 3.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News
