Warm Day Greets Noel Christmas Parade

It was unseasonably warm on Saturday as the Noel Christmas parade marched down Main Street.

Participants gathered at Noel Elementary School before the parade to register, and the McDonald County High School and Junior High bands were practicing their act together.

Mary Bourn of Noel was entering a black-and-yellow striped, all-electric car in the parade. She had also participated in the Southwest City Christmas parade on Saturday.

"It's a lot of fun," she said. "I'm a substitute teacher in the district, so I get to all the schools in one way or another. To have my little bee car is a lot of fun. If you can conserve energy, you can go further between charges. The kids get the biggest kick out of my bee car."

Craig Peck of Liberty Utilities in Noel was entering a company truck with Christmas trees on it.

"We tried to be festive," he said. "It's a beautiful day. Couldn't ask for a nicer day. It's unseasonably warm for December, but I'll take it."

Amanda Bruneau of Opaa!, the school district's food supplier, was standing next to a float for the organization.

"It's a train with a smokestack," she said. "We've worked literally for weeks on this thing. We did Winterfest and won second place. We're looking to take first here."

Riding on the float were food service workers and their kids, she said.

"We're looking to have fun with the kids. That's what we do is serve kids. We service all 10 schools in McDonald County School District."

On Main Street, Roger Porter of Grove, Okla., formerly of Noel, was doing a sound check. He has been announcing the parade for about 20 years, he said.

"I look forward to it every year," he said. "I do this and the McDonald County Fair over at Anderson every year."

He said of the weather, "It's lovely. We are blessed today. I have announced this when it was pouring down rain and I have announced it when I was dressed up like an Eskimo."

"I expect a lot of excitement," he added. "It's time for people to start getting into the Christmas spirit."

Peggy Vlaovich, a judge for the parade, was attending her first Noel Christmas parade.

"I used to be in Christmas parades growing up in California," she said. "When I was a kid, my dad used to take us every year. I loved being involved. Looks like it's going to be a good show, good turnout."

Tara Cosgrove and other employees at Arvest Bank had set up a drink stand. She said, "We are giving out tea and water and candy canes. We were going to give out hot chocolate, but since it's so warm and beautiful today, we figured we needed some sweet tea."

The parade headed down Main Street. Participants threw candy to the children. The band played, and the McDonald County varsity cheerleaders performed. At the end of the parade, Santa waved to onlookers from a fire engine.

The winners were: Best of Show -- Opaa!; Adult General -- Southwest City Fire Department; Dance and Marching Groups -- McDonald County High School and Junior High Marching Band; Show Cars -- Chuck Thacker; School Organizations -- Opaa; Horse Riders -- Nelson Riding Trio; Other -- Noel Marshal's Office.