Two decades of celebration (WITH GALLERY)
Published 12:00 am Saturday, December 2, 2023
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A parade participant, dressed as Cousin Eddie from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, offers candy to spectator during the Ironton Christmas Parade on Monday. (The Ironton Tribune | Heath Harrison) (The Ironton Tribune | Heath Harrison)
The Ironton High School cheerleaders walk during the city’s Christmas parade on Monday. (The Ironton Tribune | Heath Harrison)
Children pick up candy during the Ironton Christmas parade on Monday. (The Ironton Tribune | Heath Harrison)
A dog walks with a group from King’s Daughters Medical Center during the Ironton Christmas Parade on Monday. (The Ironton Tribune | Heath Harrison)
A girl excitedly runs back to her family after meeting Santa Claus at the end of the Ironton Christmas Parade on Monday. (The Ironton Tribune | Heath Harrison)
A truck from the City of Ironton comes down Third Street during the Ironton Christmas Parade on Monday. (Tim Gearhart | For The Ironton Tribune)
A group from King’s Daughters Medical Center walks during the Ironton Christmas Parade on Monday. (The Ironton Tribune | Heath Harrison)
Roger Morgan, of the El Hasa Shriner Hillbillies, drives a truck down Third Street during the Ironton Christmas Parade on Monday. (The Ironton Tribune | Heath Harrison)
Cyndi Roth leads a group from Cyndi’s Dance Studio during the Ironton Christmas parade on Monday. (Tim Gearhart | For The Ironton Tribune)
The Green High School marching band comes down Third Street during the Ironton Christmas Parade on Monday. (The Ironton Tribune | Heath Harrison)
The Ironton High School Million Dollar Band performs during the city’s Christmas parade on Monday. (The Ironton Tribune | Heath Harrison)
Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department chief Kim Dutey drives in the Ironton Christmas Parade on Monday. (Tim Gearhart | For The Ironton Tribune)
Students from the Yvonne DeKay School of Dance perform during the Ironton Christmas parade on Monday. (Tim Gearhart | For The Ironton Tribune)
The Ironton High School Million Dollar Band performs during the city’s Christmas parade on Monday. (The Ironton Tribune | Heath Harrison)
A vehicle from Texas Roadhouse comes down Third Street during the Ironton Christmas Parade on Monday. (Tim Gearhart | For The Ironton Tribune)
A truck from the El Hasa Shriners pops it wheels on Third Street during the Ironton Christmas Parade on Monday. (The Ironton Tribune | Heath Harrison)
The Griswold family car from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, part of a group from Harbor Health Care, comes down Third Street during the Ironton Christmas Parade on Monday. (Tim Gearhart | For The Ironton Tribune)
The VFW 8850 Color Guard leads the Ironton Christmas Parade on Monday. (The Ironton Tribune | Heath Harrison)
A girl excitedly runs back to her family after meeting Santa Claus. (The Ironton Tribune | Heath Harrison)
Lions Club hosts 20th city Christmas parade
By HEATH HARRISON and MARK SHAFFER
The annual Ironton Christmas Parade returned on Monday, marking two decades for the event organized by the city chapter of the Lions Club.
Participants included regulars, such as the Ironton High School band and cheerleaders, local fire departments and dance studios, while concluding with a visit from Santa Claus, who rode in with the Lions Club at the end of the parade.
One colorful participant this year was a man, dressed as Cousin Eddie from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, who walked the street with Harbor Health Care’s group, offering up candy from his bedpan trolley.
In addition to Ironton, Green High School took part in the parade, with its band and cheerleaders present for the event.
Businesses represented at the event included King’s Daughters Medical Center, Kindred Communications and Texas Roadhouse.
Despite Monday night’s cold weather, Lou Pyles, with the Lions, who organized the parade, said this year’s lineup was a expansion over last year.
“I thought it went really great,” she said. “The children were so happy to see Santa Claus. This really kicks off the holiday season in Ironton.”
She said this was one of the biggest parades they’ve had, with several hundred participating.
“This is the longest one we’ve had,” Pyles said. “We had the first division already heading back to Fourth and Railroad streets and the fifth division had started moving yet. So, we are really happy with that. We like to have new people come and participate, it keeps it going.”
Pyles wished everyone a Merry Christmas and hopes everyone a safe and happy holiday.