Santa arrives in Seneca during annual Christmas parade
SENECA — It was a beautiful day for a parade. Sunday afternoon the sun shone bright for the Seneca Christmas Parade sponsored by the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce.
Patrick Lee, executive director of the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce, said the event drew one of the largest crowds in recent memory.
“The theme was ‘A Picture Perfect Christmas’ and certainly the weather cooperated along with our theme this year; the weather was perfect,” Lee said.
More than 100 entries took part in the parade.
“The parade featured everything from emergency vehicles, church and civic club floats, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts, the Seneca High School Marching Band, dancers, horse riders, homecoming queens, beauty queens, and of course Mr. and Mrs. Claus,” Lee said.
Riders on several floats passed out candy to children in attendance.
“I loved getting candy and seeing Santa,” said 4-year-old Chase Oliver of Seneca.
The parade started at 2:30 p.m. and by 4 p.m. children began to crowd the streets to see Santa and Mrs. Claus and enjoy the treats at Norton-Thompson Park.
Grand marshal for the Seneca Christmas Parade was Luther Lyle, a retired educator and a resident of Walhalla. Lyle also chairs the Oconee County Arts and Historical Commission.
Other dignitaries who participated were state Sen. Thomas Alexander, R-Walhalla; state Rep. Bill Sandifer, R-Seneca; Seneca Mayor Dan Alexander; members of the Seneca City Council; Oconee County Sheriff James Singleton; Seneca Police Chief John Covington; and Seneca Fire Chief Shane Phillips.
“We did have a wonderful Christmas Parade in downtown Seneca,” Lee said.