Berea is already looking like Christmas with the new street decorations, homes lit up, Christmas trees in windows and fresh snow on the ground. However, this year’s holiday spirit soared as hundreds of people braved the dropping temperatures to enjoy the annual Berea Twilight Christmas Parade.

The parade showcased fire trucks, police cars, emergency rescue vehicles, marching bands, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, Berea’s own mayor Kerby, mayor-elect Connelly and over a dozen illuminated floats sponsored by local companies, churches, sport teams and organizations. Along with formal entries in the parade, were individuals walking the parade route giving away candy, business cards and even Mardi gras beads.

The surprisingly large crowd that bundled up to experience the parade could have been due to the previous week’s snowfall that kept everyone inside. Regardless, the parade provided the perfect way to get out of the house, enjoy the season and visit with old friends. While a few members of the crowd wished for warmer temperatures, others argued that it wouldn’t seem like a Christmas parade without snow on the ground.

Although the parade seemed shorter than last year’s event, this year’s parade was another success thanks to the Berea Chamber of Commerce and the City of Berea. The parade is traditionally held the first Saturday of December at dusk. BereaOnline.com would like to issue a special thanks to Janel Davenport, Stephanie Owens and their crew. Until you have actually tried to put together a parade you really have no idea how difficult it is. Also, thanks to the Berea Police Dept. for all their efforts to keep the peace and route traffic. Everyone does not always welcome parades and often time it’s the nearest officer who gets the blame.