The streets of downtown Auburn were lined with families and friends Sunday afternoon as the City celebrated the holiday season with the annual Auburn Christmas Parade. Starting at 2 p.m., the parade traveled up South College Street through Toomer's Corner, around City Hall and finished on Thach Avenue.
Organized by the Auburn Downtown Merchants Association, over 70 different organizations, local businesses and community groups participated in the parade.
Representatives from Auburn University, like 2020 Miss Auburn University Collins McMurray, could be seen at various parts of the celebration.
Aubie led the way, with the Auburn High School Marching Band following right behind, playing festive holiday melodies. Floats were decorated in all different shapes and sizes, from sleighs to cars covered in wrapping paper.
Beauregard was represented in the parade, as students from Beauregard High School stood on their float. On it was a sign that read, “Thank you for the prayers, we felt every one,” showing gratitude for the community support following the tornadoes that hit Lee County on March 3, 2019.
One organization that participated, the Lee County Home Builders Association, had a number of tiny homes on display that were raffled off during the event.
Santa Claus was the final guest of the parade, smiling and waving as he rode in the ladder of a firetruck at the end of the long line of floats.
Pheaza Sumners, a member of the Lee County Home Builders Association, said the turnout for the parade was fantastic and said community members started showing up as early as 12:30 p.m. to line up for the 2 p.m. parade.
“I think the parade brings out a lot of participation from the community,” Sumners said. “I brought my granddaughter out — she was actually on one of the floats. It is a tradition I hope continues.”
Seth Clayton, an Auburn resident, said the annual event has special significance to him.
“My parents took me to see the parade when I was a kid; that was a long time ago now,” Clayton said. “This is a fantastic event that has brought together a lot of local businesses and the community. I hope it continues to for a long time.”
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