Sean C. Morgan
Spectators cheered as the Huskies football team led the Saturday’s “Magic of the Christmas Star” parade down Long Street on their way to the state semi-finals against Wilsonville and kicking off a day of Sweet Home Christmas cheer.
“I thought it turned out really well,” Chamber of Commerce Manager Carla Claasen said. “We had a lot of people here for the tree lighting.”
A good-sized crowd gathered around for the evening ceremony led by Mayor Tim McQueary.
“This is the traditional time of year we gather to give thanks for our families, friends and our way of life,” Mayor McQueary said. He also asked that “we give special thanks to those half a world away in service to our country.”
Mayor McQueary led a countdown from five, and City Manager Craig Martin turned on the Christmas Tree lights on the corner of 18th and Long streets.
A provided hot drinks for participants as the Singing Christmas Tree and Sweet Home High School Choir provided special music.
Nearby, people gathered around to watch the Squarenaders dancing to Christmas tunes aboard their lighted float display. The float was one of four or five set up for what was called a “static” parade.
The display was an alternative to the lighted parades of the last couple of years. The parade was moved to the morning to help deal with issues created by the lighted parades in the evening.
Following the morning parade, several bazaars were quickly besieged by shoppers. Among the Christmas bazaars were East Linn Christian Academy’s at Sweet Home High School, the Friends of the Library at the Sweet Home Public Library and the Sweet Home Genealogical Society at the Genealogy Library.
The tree lighting ceremony began after the sun set and was followed by the Sweet Home Alumni Foundation’s Christmas tree auction in the Sweet Home High School cafeteria. The proceeds are used for scholarships. Trees sold for $25 to more than $600 along with a silent auction for a variety of items. The Singing Christmas Tree’s second performance followed.
Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus hovered around most of the activities Saturday and were the parade grand marshals with Mayor McQueary. They were carried in the parade in a Chafin Farms horse-drawn carriage and escorted by the Sportsman’s Holiday Court.
Rob and Donna Poirier have been the local Santa and Mrs. Claus for about eight years. Each year, they are involved in more and more activities with their alter egos, and they don’t even remember why or exactly when they first donned their red and white costumes.
They showed up at the parade, the tree lighting and the Singing Christmas Tree. Saturday they will visit the Shop with a Cop shopping trip at Wal-Mart in Lebanon.
Someone asked them to do it, Rob said, probably one year when Joe Ponzoha couldn’t do it.
“I love it,” Donna said. “It’s fun to watch the sparkle in the kids’ eyes and see them smile.”
It’s an opportunity to pass positive messages, like proper safety, to children, Rob said. When they ask him for a bike for Christmas, he makes sure to mention a helmet. When they ask for pets, he talks to them about responsibility and caring for the pet.
“Some children are very shy and afraid,” Rob said. “I always try to tell parents they’ve done a good job telling their kids about talking to strangers.”
“I think you become the persona, just kind of become the persona,” Donna said. “You just kind of become the person.”
And that persona comes with a message.
“A lot of stuff in life, we get wrapped up in is small, and we let it overcome us when we really need to focus on our families and communities,” Rob said.
“It’s not about how many gifts you can give or get,” Donna said. “It’s about giving from the heart.”
The lighted displays and daytime parade met with mixed reviews, Claasen said. Some persons wanted a moving parade.
The parade arrangements attempted to deal with previous criticisms of the parade. The evening parades cut off downtown parking too early for some merchants, and the large numbers did not show up to the bazaars during the afternoon.
The parade was only held on Long Street this year to help save the city overtime costs, and getting permits for Long Street was simpler.
“I think Long Street got some really positive comments because it has the small-town charm,” Claasen said. “Overall, people seemed to have fun.”
Claasen specifically wanted to recognize Sue Olson’s efforts in organizing the parade, the tree lighting and the Singing Christmas Tree. Olson also secured the grants that paid for the new lights for the tree and Main Street decorations.
She is seeking constructive criticism for use planning next year’s activities, Claasen said, and the Christmas activities always need more volunteers. She urged people to contact her at 367-6186.
Parade Results
— Grand Sweepstakes winner: Embassy House Kingdom Reigns Players.
— Best in Royalty Court: Sportsman’s Holiday Court.
— Best Marching Unit: Sweet Home High School dance team.
— Best Business Float: Figaro’s Pizza.
— Best in Nonprofit Group: Brownsville Assembly of God.
— Best in Walking Unit: Sweet Home High School cheerleaders.
— Best in Classic Cars: South Santiam Sweet Potato Queens.
— Best in Horse: Christmas Cowgirls.
— Best Specialty Entry: The Army National Guard.