Lighted Parade Creates a Small Town Christmas Song
Small towns and their traditions…they warm the heart.
Last night, the twin towns of Redway and Garberville shared a little magic. The rains stopped just long enough for a miniature parade to wend its way through the streets. Handcrafted floats built by community members and youth groups sparkled and shone to an inaudible Christmas tune that sounded something like this:
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose (Yes, it was cold. We helped hold a Christmas tree upright on a float across the Bluffs and our fingers were icy!)
Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos
Everybody knows a puppy and some Christmas lights
Help to make the season bright
Tiny tots on floats all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight
They know that Santa’s on his way (He came in a couple of versions.)
He’s loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh (a whole gingerbread house!)
And every mother’s child is gonna spy
To see if someone they know goes traveling by
And so I’m offering this simple thanks
To all the folks who put on this do
Although it’s been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you!
And a huge thank you.
To the Soroptimists Club and all the organizations and people that work so hard to brighten people’s lives.
And the winners of the float competitions are….
BEST OVERALL – won by So Hum on Patrol
Sponsors: GR Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.; Underwood’s Drive Thru Tree Park;
The Stonery; Mateel Community Center; Barnum Timber Company;
The Trader; Karen Miclette Insurance; Humboldt House Inn;
Milt’s Saw Shop; Mendes Mini Storage; Cecil’s New Orleans Bistro
MOST CHRISTMAS SPIRIT – won by Bulldogs – Sponsors: Clary’s Auto Parts, Redway True Value and Parkinson’s Building Materials
– won by So Humb Unified School Dist- Sponsors: Julie and Dennis Brunken’s Cricke Trips Transportation and Emerald Technologies
BEST ANIMATION won by Ashley Lewis– Sponsors: Sacred Heart Healing Center, Boldt’s Commercial Fishing and Stone Junction (Cute dog pictured above.)
BEST CHRISTMAS THEME won by Miranda 4-H – Sponsors: Whitethorn Construction, Cadillac Wok, and Crystal Arbuthnot Bookkeeping
JUDGE’S CHOICE won by Garberville Lions Club (Santa, Frosty, Rudolph pictured above)– Sponsors: Evergreen Mini Storage, Jim & Marie Johnson and family
MOST ORIGINAL won by Crystal Arbuthnot Bookkeeping (gingerbread house pictured above) – Sponsors: Sicilito’s, Humboldt Bar & Grill, and the staff at Woodrose Cafe
Honorable Mention: Garberville Boutique (see below—this was taken before the riders got on board.)
Join the discussion! For rules visit: https://kymkemp.com/commenting-rules
Comments system how-to: https://wpdiscuz.com/community/postid/10599/
Nice Kim like to see Sohum. in that light. give your mom and trip love from me this Christmas season.
Hugs, Mike. Seems like we shared a lot of that hometown warmth growing up in SoHum. I love seeing it continue.
You are forgiven for changing the lyrics because it made such a sweet original accompaniment to the holiday photos! Looks like the parade was a hit. Congrats to the winners and to all who participated!
We had a blast!
Wonderful parade, they put together a fantastic show. WTG soHum!
Finally! a nice g-ville story. Great pics!
What beautiful photography, what a beautiful event, what a beautiful crowd.
Who would have ever thought, after knowing Darryl Cherney a few years ago, that we would see a domesticated version of him standing in a crowd with his child watching a parade instead of leading one. These are some of the great things that I see about Garberville that some might not. What a beautiful community!
Thanks paraders!
Dated response Ernie but a unique insight. Time has a way of blurring distinctions the are an artificial construct.
On Behalf of the Bulldogs we would also like to thank Dazey’s Building Center for their donation. 😀
Wahoo for all the businesses who chip in to help!