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Snyder firefighters Nathan Evans and Ben Poe (in truck) take part of the garland swag from Deputy Fire Marshal Nathan Hines that is now hanging over College Ave. The firefighters hung the swag for the Snyder Chamber of Commerce, which purchased the new holiday decorations. Taking pictures of the hanging is the chamber’s events coordinator, Josh Ortegon.
The Snyder downtown square will be merry and bright Saturday evening when the annual Snyder Chamber of Commerce lighted Christmas parade comes to town.
But before the train of floats can make its way down College Ave. and around the square, they must first be decorated.
This year’s parade theme is A Fairy Tale Christmas with the hope of making this Christmas a magical one to remember.
Following the theme, the Snyder Junior High School (SJHS) office staff and student aides will put together a Polar Express float.
“We’re all about doing something and getting involved up here,” office aide Tonya Ramon said. “If we know about something, we’re going to try to be a part of it.”
Built by Snyder resident Larry Lambaren, the float will resemble a train locomotive with a few other surprises in store. Their theme is “Believe in SJHS,” which nods toward Snyder ISD’s slogan, “We Believe in Snyder ISD” and the Polar Express book’s theme of believing in Santa Claus.
“We want to let the community know that the junior high is here and we have good opportunities for our kids,” Ramon said. “They’re often overlooked because of their age, but we want to get involved.”
Continuing with the fairy tale theme, the Folklorico de Guadalupe dance team will enter a float based on the 2014 animated movie The Book of Life.
“They’ve all seen the movie, and they were really excited to do this float,” dance instructor Luis Alaniz said. “It’s based in Mexico, and it has a lot to do with their traditions. It fits perfect with our jalisco dresses.”
The dancers will wear face paint and lighted costumes to go along with the theme, and parents have been working hard to put the float together, including building the big book and making little flowers.
“We as a group are like a family,” Alaniz said. “The parents are involved and working hard for the kids.”
Also doing a float for the parade is Victory Baptist Church, who has not entered a float in several years.
“The last time they did a float was maybe three years ago,” church member Natasha Kincaid said. “We decided to do a Nativity scene with the kids this year, and baby Jesus will be a real baby. His parents will play Mary and Joseph.”
Although the church’s float does not directly fit the parade’s fairy tale theme, they aim to get a message across with their Nativity scene.
“We want let people know that Jesus is not a fairytale,” Kincaid said.
The parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will travel from the Snyder Shopping Center to the downtown area.
Following the parade, Santa Claus will arrive by helicopter and will visit with children in the downtown plaza.
A community tree lighting ceremony will also be held in the plaza.