MOUNT VERNON — Hundreds lined Howard and South Main Streets and the Public Square Sunday afternoon for the annual Christmas parade presented by the local newspaper and the Heritage Centre Association. Parade goers saw marching bands from Mount Vernon and Danville high schools, horses, llamas, floats, and business entries. The annual Shopping Cart entry featured representatives of the Food for the Hungry partners board who accepted canned food along the parade route.
The final, and perhaps most anticipated entry, featured Santa Claus. The jolly old elf wished everyone a Merry Christmas as the parade wrapped up after more than an hour. After the parade Santa took up residence in his small house on the Square and welcomed small children in to sit on his lap and voice their gift wishes for Christmas.
Following the parade, the annual Christmas walk resumed featuring open houses by downtown businesses, many of which offered free warm beverages and refreshments. Students from the Mount Vernon City Schools music orchestra program performed Christmas music at Herald’s Appliances and Electronics as the afternoon concluded.
Christmas caroling was scheduled on the Public Square to usher in the evening.
