Freezing temperatures didn’t deter crowds from turning out last weekend to watch the 19th annual House Springs Lions Christmas Parade, organizer Kim Fanter said.
About 1,500 people lined a portion of Hwy. MM in House Springs on Dec. 13 to watch the parade, which included floats decorated by local businesses, car clubs and entries from other organizations.
Fanter said the parade watchers usually get out of their vehicles to watch the floats go by on the side of the highway, but this year, some chose to remain inside them.
“It was hard to say how many people showed up because everyone was in their cars. It’s not usual that they stay in their cars, but when it’s as cold as it was this time, it didn’t surprise me.”
Fanter said 37 floats signed up for the parade, but a few dropped out due to the temperatures. The Northwest High School marching band and student council were supposed to walk in the parade, but ended up declining, she said.
Many of the floats stuck to the “Frosty the Snowman” theme, Fanter said.
The parade also featured first responder vehicles and Santa Claus, who rode on the last float.
Fredbird, the St. Louis Cardinals baseball mascot, also made an appearance during the event. Fanter said the mascot rode up and down the parade route on a golf cart, taking pictures with attendees.
“Even Fredbird got cold,” Fanter joked. “He tried to put gloves underneath his gloves.”
Fanter said the parade went well.
“As far as parades go, and as cold as it was, people did an awesome job decorating as a whole, and they were determined, no matter what, that this was going to work,” she said. “I was very pleased. I really thought, because of the cold, we were going to have a huge decrease.”
Fanter thanked Northwest Towing, based in House Springs, for transporting golf carts and helping keep the parade running. She also thanked the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Byrnes Mill Police Department for keeping paradegoers safe.
“Next year, we’ll celebrate 20 years of the parade and 75 years as the House Springs Lions Club,” Fanter said. “It’s going to be a big year, next year.”