Hundreds of people braved a chilly, drizzly evening on Dec. 10 to watch the 2022 Hillsboro Christmas parade and participate in activities that followed at the Hillsboro R-3 School District’s Bridle Ridge Acres farm, said Hillsboro Fire Chief Brian Gaudet, a member of the Greater Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce, which sponsored the parade.
The parade wended through downtown Hillsboro, with spectators lining the route, he said.
“Our parade participation was phenomenal,” Gaudet said. “We had 45 entries and multiple entries brought multiple vehicles. It was definitely a success.”
Chamber officials chose a number of parade entry winners, with the Raintree Church entry winning the Best Overall Award and receiving a $100 cash prize.
Raintree Church also won the award for Best Float. Other winners included the Hillsboro High School marching band for Best Walking/Marching Unit; Scott and Karen Geary for Best Motorized Unit; Show Me Antique Car Club for Best Vintage Unit; Second Baptist Church and Twin City Christian Academy for Best Religious entry; and Jefferson County 4-H for Best Dressed Animal.
After the parade, an event called Community Christmas at the Farm was held at the Bridle Ridge Acres. The event included pictures with Santa Claus and Disney princesses, a bonfire, Christmas music, children’s crafts, refreshments and a unique holiday lighting ceremony.
“(The Hillsboro School district) did a tractor lighting,” Gaudet said. “A tractor was decorated and lit up like a Christmas tree. It was like a tree lighting. Kids from the Hillsboro agriculture program did wonderful job getting it all set up.”
The R-3 students also gave tours of the farm.
Photo opportunities were free, but donations were accepted to benefit of the school district, which will use the funds to care for the animals at the Bridle Ridge Acres Farm.