December 5, 2021
By: Dwayne Page
‘Twas a merry and bright Saturday night in downtown Smithville as thousands of spectators celebrated the arrival of the holiday season during the Smithville Christmas Parade and Christmas on the Square.
(View 100 photos of the Smithville Christmas Parade and Christmas on the Square on the WJLE Facebook page)
Although it was cloudy, temperatures were mild for a December day and the rain held off. Many parked along the route to see the show as the parade motored from the New Life Connection Center down Congress Boulevard before turning onto Don Cantrell Street by City Hall into the Public Square. Others gathered downtown to get a closer look as the parade passed by and to scoop up some candy tossed to them by Santa and other participants. After the parade, many people stayed in town to shop and to enjoy all that Christmas on the Square had to offer including LIVE model window displays at several businesses, a reception by local public officials at the courthouse and city hall who served up refreshments, a pet photo shoot with Santa by the DeKalb Animal Coalition at the law office of Gayla Hendrix, a fun photo booth at the courthouse, and a visit with Santa at Justin Potter Library
DeKalb Funeral Chapel won 1st place for their entry. Second place went to the New West Point Free Will Baptist Church. Hurricane Marina took 3rd place. First Bank won the Spirit Award presented by the Smithville Business and Professional Women’s Club. Honorable mentions for the Spirit Award were Bee’s Body Boutique “Through Thick & Thin” and the DCHS Fighting Tiger Marching Band.
Mr. and Miss DeKalb County Michael and Tara Hale were the Grand Marshals of the Parade.
The parade was sponsored by the Smithville Fire Department.