This year’s parade theme will be “Christmas Miracles.” Floats built by clubs, businesses and churches will interpret this theme in the Christmas parade, to be held this year on Saturday, December 5.
A review of 2014
The 2014 Chamber Christmas Parade was a dazzling display of color, lights and wonder, well-attended by young and old. Float contestants followed the theme, The Reason for the Season. Categories for the contest were Church, Club and Business (winners listed below). Other parade favorites were the Butler High School Brigade, the Color Guard provided by Butler’s fire and police departments, and Santa’s Sleigh with Little Miss Snowflake and Little Jack Frost. Butler, behold your proud town tradition…
Ministerial Alliance read scripture and sang carols while spectators waited for the parade’s arrival.
Free hot cocoa was offered to parade attenders compliments of the First Baptist Church of Butler.
The Fire and Police Departments ushered the parade into town from the Butler High School.
Betty Robey, Parade Marshal
Betty Robey spent 50 years in banking on the northeast corner of the Butler square. She served on the board of directors and had the distinction of being senior vice president with First Bank of Butler. She was active in the Chamber of Commerce serving as president in 1988. Betty has served on several other committees, both with the Chamber and the City of Butler. Very much a ‘people person,’ Betty can be seen every day somewhere about town.
Santa’s arrival with Little Miss Snowflake and Little Jack Frost
Thanks to the Sheriff’s Department for pulling Santa into town, in lieu of Santa’s reindeer.
First Place, Church – Friendship Full Gospel
2nd Place, Church – St. Matthew’s Lutheran
3rd Place, Church – First Baptist
1st Place, Clubs – Girls Scouts
2nd Place, Clubs – Bates County Elks
3rd Place, Clubs – Outdoor Girls
1st Place, Business – Mac Storage
2nd Place, Business – Quality Home Care
3rd Place, Business – Mattress Plus
The Chamber’s Neighborhood Trolley was kindly pulled by Gwaine Arney, Missour Farm Bureau agent.
Bob Surber, 1959 John Deere 730 Diesel, with the Western Missouri Antique Tractor and Machinery Association
Eugene Miller of Butler, Mo., driving a B Farmall, with the Western Mo. Antique Tractor & Machinery Association
Bates County Memorial Hospital and Family Care Clinics
The Butler Bear Brigade
Wayne Seider and his band of elves
Serenity Care Hospice – Harrisonville, Mo.
After the parade, kids and their parents lined up to visit Santa at his house on the northeast corner of Butler Square.
Waiting patiently for Santa
Santa’s cozy cottage is decked with garlands and Christmas cheer. Each visitor is given a candy cane after whispering his or her wishes to Santa. Parents snap pictures of the momentous occasion. Santa invites visitors to drop in to visit him on December 12 and 19 from 5 – 8 p.m.