Dames Ferry Elementary hosted its annual First-Grade Christmas Parade for parents and community members to celebrate the holiday season.
The Dec. 19th event happened in front of the school at 1:30 p.m. Students and teachers excitedly lined the sidewalk, and parents sat in the trunks of their vehicles to enjoy the parade.
According to School Counselor Connie Downey, first graders work with their families outside of class to create creative floats that celebrate the season and others that reflect students’ interests. The students parade their unique creations for the entire school community to enjoy.
Before the parade began, Assistant Principal Kristen Jones reminisced about past parade floats and expressed her excitement about this year’s festivities.
“Some students created Candy Land, Grinch, or even Roblox floats. It is fun seeing the kids, and I am so glad the weather is so nice,” Jones said.
This year, many of the Christmas-themed floats included Christmas trees. One student pulled a wagon with a dog-themed tree and a sign saying, “We Woof You a Merry Christmas!”
Other holiday floats included a gingerbread house, Santa’s sleigh, a nativity scene, and gift-wrapped presents, with some students decorated as presents themselves.
Other non-holiday-themed floats included a skyscraper with Spiderman scaling the building, a horse-themed wagon, and a Pokémon float.
The Dames Ferry Elementary Cheerleading Team also graced the public with their presence in the parade, chanting holiday greetings and spreading cheer. One cheerleader toted a stereo playing familiar holiday tunes, getting the crowd into the season’s spirit.
PEC Teacher Brooke Maurer commented on the event.
“It is a cute tradition we have done each year since the school opened,” she said.
According to the school’s Media Specialist, Brooke Henson, the parade is the perfect way to reign in the fall semester before the holidays.
“The parade was absolutely adorable, as always! It’s so fun seeing our first graders’ creativity with their floats. I really love this tradition at Dames Ferry. It’s such a fun way to send everyone off for their holiday,” Henson concluded.
The First-Grade Christmas Parade was a success, leaving parents, students, and teachers alike on a joyful note on the last day of school before Christmas break.
