Thursday had been cold and rainy but Kiwanis breathed a sigh of relief when the weather cooperated Friday when the sirens and flashing lights at 6 p.m. announced the Christmas Parade’s start with a rainless sky and near-shirtsleeve temperatures.

Crowds of families with small children lined the streets, holding shopping bags and buckets, awaiting throws of candy and anything else that might be tossed from floats.  Kiwanis Club members were on hand with lights and loud speakers to introduce and interview those on the floats as they passed by the steps of the old First Baptist Church sanctuary.

They also gave out awards for the parade which carried the theme “Piney Woods Express.”  The President’s Award went to the Louisiana Political Museum.  The Governor’s Award was given to Union Baptist Church.  The Mayor’s Award was won by the City of Winnfield.  The Theme Award was captured by Winnfield Nursing Home.  The Spirit Award was presented to the City Animal Shelter.  Additionally, 12 Participation Awards were accepted by commendable entries.

There was hardly a pause between the time that Santa rode his traditional caboose position on this Piney Woods Express before the first “Bang” and flash of colored lights hit the skies over Main Street and a dramatic display of lights and sounds kept folks looking skywards instead of walking car-wards.  Just when the downtown visitors thought the display brought to them by the City of Winnfield might be over, there was another “Bang” and burst and the beauty went on.  Then came the finale, a conflagration of brightness and explosion.  Then came the silence and fading lights and smoke that told you it’s over.

There was a little yelling and applause following the display as folks made their way, down the street which was littered in places with candy wrappers and candy had had been tossed and missed, to their waiting cars.

All before the late night rain came.