Chilly rain doesn't ruin this parade.Byline: TRICIA SCHWENNESEN The Register-Guard SPRINGFIELD - Rain puddled in the streets and ran steadily through the gutters. It seeped through winter coats and dripped off umbrellas. By the time Crossfire's Noah's Ark Noah’s Ark preserves Noah’s family and animals from flood. [O.T.: Genesis 6:7–9] See : Refuge float passed before the judges' booth Saturday afternoon, it seemed oddly appropriate. Springfield's "oldest and coldest" annual parade can now add wettest to its claim to fame. Less than an hour into the 49th annual Springfield Christmas Parade, it began to rain, and by 3:30 p.m. it was pouring. "It put a little bit of a damper on it," organizer Denise Brittain said. "We were fortunate that when we set up it was sunny and nice, but people seemed to stick it out." More than 8,000 people lined the 2 1/2 -mile route from 28th and Olympic streets to downtown. Despite the foul weather, most people stayed to take in nearly 85 entries with the theme "Peace on Earth - Goodwill to Mankind." "I love it," said Gene Pauli, only his face showing from the neck hole of his flannel shirt that he'd pulled up around his ears. "It just helps put me in the (holiday) spirit." Springfield Police Chief Jerry Smith Jerry Smith may refer to the following people:
On May 20, 1998, student Kipland "Kip" Kinkel killed his parents, William and Faith, both Spanish teachers at local high schools. gave rousing performances of "Jingle Bells Jingle Bells yuletide song composed by J. S. Pierpont. [Pop. Music: Van Doren, 200] See : Christmas " and "Joy to the World." Throughout the parade, the holiday cheer was accompanied by a distinctly patriotic feel. Paradegoers waved American flags. Flatbed trucks, cars and scooters sported red, white and blue streamers Streamers is a play by David Rabe. The last in his Vietnam War trilogy that began with The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel and Sticks and Bones . A white horse from Paladine Stables was a walking billboard of stars and stripes Stars and Stripes nickname for the U.S. flag. [Am. Hist.: Brewer Dictionary, 8567] See : America . And for every shout of "Merry Christmas," someone added "God Bless America." The chilly weather seemed appropriate for Frosty the Snowman and the Grinch. But it was Santa Claus Santa Claus: see Nicholas, Saint. Santa Claus jolly, gift-giving figure who visits children on Christmas Eve. [Christian Tradition: NCE, 1937] See : Christmas Santa Claus that drew 5-year-old Miranda Reed - and she wasn't going to be deterred by a little rain. "It was terrible when we got here," said her mother, Julie Reed. "She wouldn't leave." The Reeds and some friends tried to watch the parade from the warmth of a car, but Miranda would have none of that. "We tried to go but she had to stay," Julie Reed said. Once Santa passed, Miranda was ready to go. Three-year-old Ellie Handwork - bundled up in four layers of clothes - also patiently waited for Santa's appearance. As he passed on his sleigh sleigh: see sled. , Ellie waved. "He pointed at me," she said. Handworks' mother, Misty, said the parade is a 20-year family tradition. "We love it," she said. "We don't even mind the rain." PARADE WINNERS Commercial division: Willamette Industries Noncommercial senior division: Northwood Christian Church Noncommercial junior division: Cub Scout Pack 18 Senior marching division: Girl Scouts Girl Scouts, recreational and service organization founded (1912) in Savannah, Ga., by Mrs. Juliette Gordon Low (1860–1927). It was originally modeled after the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, organizations created in Great Britain by Sir Robert Baden-Powell during of Western Rivers Council Junior marching division: Boy Scouts Pack 351 Riding units: Desperado Co-ed Drill Team Vehicles: Springfield Transportation Bands: Thurston High School CAPTION(S): Katelyn Moats (right), Amanda Navarro and her mother, Angel Navarro, lean from the shelter of their car and keep an eye out for Santa, undaunted by the weather. BRIAN DAVIES Brian Davies can stand for:
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