Roanoke Christmas Parade: An Overview

Here's what a Christmas parade should be about.

Patrick Henry High band.

We've had our great bitch-out on the shortcomings of the Roanoke Christmas Parade (see previous post), but it wasn't all bad. There were some highlights, though I didn't stay past the appearance of the Sons of the Confederate Veterans and their Confederate battle flags.

Here's a representative look at some of the better highlights of the parade, an event that needs a lot of work if it is to become what it has been in the past: the best parade in the region. At the moment, it is the worst.

Thousands lined the sidewalks.

The Dickens of a Christmas group, for which the parade is named.

Haley Toyota's blatant commercialism made a lot of us sick.

Militarism was in poor taste for a Prince of Peace parade.

Candy for the kids is obligatory.

Loved the tap dancers and they make a good photo.

One of several large floats (though I could have done without the motorcycle on it and around it).

Cool car.

Polar Express was a gift of the Roanoke City Water Authority. I like it.

What's a parade without an old fire truck?

Dozens watched from the parking garage downtown.