Downtown Christmas Parade "Storybook Christmas"

Saturday, December 8 2007 (03:27PM) | Posted by Kathryn Vicat-Dlabach (DSA) | Downtown

The Downtown Christmas Parade “Storybook Christmas”, sponsored by Cody’s Convenience Stores, made its way through downtown Springfield through rain, fog and big crowds. Over 90 floats entered this years parade for a record number of participants. The Grand Prize winner for best float was Joplin Supply Company. Most accurate representation of parade theme was SemTrucking. Best costume went to Cody’s Convenience Stores. Most original float was Creekside at Elfindale. First place for non-profit float was Springfield Greene County Library District.
Area high school bands came out with some great musical performances. For Division 2A first place went to Blue Eye Marching Band, with second place awarded to Clever Blue Jay Marching Band. Division 3A first place went to Strafford High School. In division 4A Willard High School took first place. For division 5A first place was awarded to Kickapoo High school , second place went to Parkview High School and third place was awarded to Hillcrest High School. In the Drum & Bugle Corp Division Hillcrest High School Highlanders took first place with the Central High School Kilties taking second.
A record number of books were collected from parade participants as front end loaders traveled the parade route collecting books. All books collected will be donated to the Ozarks Area Literacy Council.