Krekeler Christmas Parade a festive treat

There’s no doubt that the Christmas season kicked off with style in Farmington when the Krekeler Jeweler’s Christmas Parade brought a fun-loving Grinch to Columbia Street as snow flurries provided a perfect backdrop for the opening of Winter Wonderland afterward.

The evening began with a new event this year — a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony held on the St. Francois County Courthouse Square. Candy Zarcone of the Farmington Regional Chamber and County Commissioner Gay Wilkinson greeted the crowd of about 200 who came out to sing along with Christmas favorites like “Jingle Bells,” “Silent Night,” “White Christmas” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” performed by special guests Sam Gallaher and Jessie and Dennis Boyd.

In addition, the crowd was entertained by the Farmington School of Dance Performing Group who danced to the song, “Perfect Christmas Night.”

Concluding the event was “Sarah Barton Murphy” — one of the founders of Farmington — who greeted the crowd and then pushed the button that lit the Christmas tree for all to see.

Another big draw just down the street was Santa’s reindeer, “Prancer,” who was available for free photos with kids of all ages.

While the weather outside was somewhat frightful, the parade, as always, was delightful with creative and colorful floats that brought the Grinch and Christmas to live in a whimsical sort of way — just right for this year’s parade theme, “A Seussical Christmas,” as hosted by the Farmington Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Of course, the best was saved for last as Santa and Mrs. Claus came into town riding on a brightly lit Farmington fire truck. The couple waved and shouted greetings at the crowds before spending special time with the children afterward at Winter Wonderland at Long Memorial Hall.

Parade winners this year were Best In Show: Belgrade State Bank; Float: First Place, All Saints Episcopal Church, Second Place, First State Community Bank; Walking Unit: First Place, BKMB, Second Place, EMAA Head Start; Motorized Unit: First Place, Farmington Fire Department, Second Place, Hefner’s Furniture; Equestrian Unit: First Place, Belgrade State Bank.

Laura Raymer, the chamber’s director of events and program marketing, was thrilled about this year’s parade — and loved the bit of snow that came with it.

“I thought it was fantastic,” she said. “We had more floats than ever before. We had some new folks that haven’t joined us in the past and so I was glad to see them come out and be part of the event.

“The weather was perfect for a Christmas parade. We had Prancer, we had the tree lighting, we had live music, kettle corn — all kinds of great stuff. To me it was a perfect night for a parade in downtown Farmington.”

Following the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus joined the Black Knight Marching Band to officially open Winter Wonderland at Long Memorial Hall located at 110 W. Columbia St. Hosted by the City of Farmington Parks & Recreation Department, Winter Wonderland features the largest G-Scale rated train display in southeast Missouri.

Winter Wonderland is open weeknights from 6 to 8 p.m. from now until Dec. 21 and is free to the public.

For special group viewing on weekdays, please contact Pam Inman, Parks and Recreation, at 756-0900 ext. 1217 or by email at pinman@farmington-mo.gov.

“To me it was a perfect night for a parade in downtown Farmington.” — Laura Raymer, Farmington Chamber of Commerce

View additional photos online at dailyjournalonline.com” width=”800″ /> Voted this year’s “Best in Show” for the 2018 Krekeler Jeweler’s Christmas Parade is the colorful float entered by Belgrade State Bank. This year’s number of float entries were the most the parade has ever had.

View additional photos online at dailyjournalonline.com

Placing first in the Float Division is this colorful church house float entered by All Saints Episcopal Church.