The Christmas Parade is revving up just outside my window

[Colibri]

Today is the day for Panama City’s annual Christmas Parade. It starts two blocks from my apartment, and goes along Avenida Balboa along the waterfront before cutting in to another main street.

My apartment overlooks the first part of the route. The parade is scheduled to start in about a half hour. All the floats are lined up. I can hear horses whinnying, motorcycles revving, and drummers practicing. Excitement is building among the marchers and in the crowd along the street.

It’s bright and sunny right now. I hope it holds out. Last year they had a tropical downpour right in the middle of the parade. But I suppose that made it even more memorable for the kids.

What’s the Christmas Parade like in your town, if there is one?

[twickster]

Christmas? Hmph. That’s for amateurs. A truly great holiday parade takes place on New Year’s Day and involves men dressed in plumes and sequins marching and playing banjos – like Philadelphia’s beloved Mummers.

[Tamex]

Minneapolis has the Holidazzle parade every Thursday through Sunday through the 23rd. It’s a nighttime parade and all the floats and participants’ costumes are covered in lights. I haven’t gone yet this year–too busy. It’s better when the weather is unseasonably warm, of course, which it is not this year.