Salina ushered in the 2021 Christmas season with the annual Christmas Parade of Lights on Saturday. The day was full of fun for kids and anyone who was Downtown.
The festivities began at the Salina Art Center in the morning. Kids and adults both made Christmas cards out of loose art items.
Kids tattoos and bake sale was at True Love Tattoo, 117 S Santa Fe. Members of Relay for Life applied the temporary tattoos on kids. Treats were sold to benefit the Salina Relay for Life.
Christmas lists were written at Streit Sandblasting, 111 S Santa Fe. Each letter was placed in a special mailbox for Santa to receive.
The Bank of Tescott handed out bags containing a sugar cookie, icing, spinkles, and M&M's in front of Martinelli's, 158 S Santa Fe. Kids decorated their cookie, and devoured it just as fast.
The highlight of the afternoon was at Sharp Performance, 131 S Santa Fe. Santa arrived just after lunchtime to listen to each kids Christmas list and pose for pictures.
A live nativity scene was set up in the courtyard of Pioneer Presidents Place, 245 S 8th. Members of Immanuel Lutheran Church dressed up and acted out the night before the world's first Christmas. Live sheep and donkeys were also on the scene for petting.
Cocoa, bottled water, and popcorn were handed out to both kids and adults by Wedel Financial, 144 S Santa Fe.
The pre-parade performance began just before dark. Dance studios performed short numbers in the intersection of Santa Fe and Walnut, just outside of Stiefel Theatre. You can watch the performances by clicking on the links below.
Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for - the Christmas parade! Floats, cars and trucks decorated in lights, dogs and horses, and even Santa Claus himself started parading down Santa Fe, from Elm to Prescott. The evening was chilly, but parade goers were bundled up as they sat in lawn chairs, standing up to catch tossed candy. You can watch the parade by clicking the link below.
