• The Atlanta High Band is following a huge SWEPCO truck and is about ready to play “Jingle Bells.”
    The Atlanta High Band is following a huge SWEPCO truck and is about ready to play “Jingle Bells.”
  • Mary Daniels and Samantha Gibson have found a warm place to watch a parade. Just use the back of one’s pick-up and a warm container and flame.
    Mary Daniels and Samantha Gibson have found a warm place to watch a parade. Just use the back of one’s pick-up and a warm container and flame.
  • Atlanta’s veteran memorial plaza is being most visited when the crowd is waiting for the parade to come by.
    Atlanta’s veteran memorial plaza is being most visited when the crowd is waiting for the parade to come by.
  • He’s not begging, but he does know how to use his hat to gather the candy that’s being tossed.
    He’s not begging, but he does know how to use his hat to gather the candy that’s being tossed.
  • No horses were allowed,but how about one human acting as a horse for others to ride? The horse and riders also require a balloon.
    No horses were allowed,but how about one human acting as a horse for others to ride? The horse and riders also require a balloon.
  • Now this is the way to wait for a parade. Find a spot, two chairs and two blankets and then just wait.That’s what Stacia Waters, left, and Sheila Davis have done.
    Now this is the way to wait for a parade. Find a spot, two chairs and two blankets and then just wait.That’s what Stacia Waters, left, and Sheila Davis have done.
  • Two or three of the most beautiful horses are flying in the sky above this float. Maybe they are pulling a sleigh.
    Two or three of the most beautiful horses are flying in the sky above this float. Maybe they are pulling a sleigh.

Atlanta Christmas Parade

Atlanta’s Christmas parade is one of the outstanding events of the year. Onlookers camp out to see the long line of entrants, and both adults and children step out to retrieve the candy that is being thrown.

The event is so crowded that some people seem to be in the parade itself as it passes. Officials keep removing people from the center of the route, and the many huge trucks are more highly decorated than church floats. Riders in the parade can shake hands or talk with the crowd. It’s quite loud and moving to be in the middle of the 100 piece Atlanta High School band.

It takes almost an hour for the parade to pass by. The pace is modest, and every now and then a well-decorated, unusual float passes by to surprise and receive the applause of the crowd.

One wonders just how such a parade comes about and achieves such success each holiday season.

Take a look at the pictures which are shown here. There’s a lot of life going on. It’s a parade of the community,