Parade of Lights

Last week I shot the annual Downtown Parade of Lights for the third year. Three times is a lot to shoot the same event and it was a challenge to come up with anything that I haven't done in the past. What I did different this year was stay until the end to capture the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony headed by Santa Claus himself. I've skipped it the last couple of years because it presses against deadline, but this time cleared it with the desk and awaited Santa's arrival with throngs of Athenians. His float was at the rear of the parade and when it paused in front of City Hall he led the crowd in a holiday tune and sprinkled his magic dust to light up the Christmas Tree. It was a nice little tradition that delighted the children. I couldn't help but feel the first spark of the Christmas spirit of the season.


People get in position for the annual Parade of Lights on Clayton Street where the lights have been converted to LED lights this year Thursday Dec. 3, 2009, in downtown Athens.






Tristan Lankford, 7, screams for a t-shirt during the annual Parade of Lights Thursday in downtown Athens.




The Barnett Tae Kwon Do Academy kicks down Washington Street during the annual Parade of Lights in downtown Athens.


The Grinch waves from his chimney.


Children wave and sing as they pass on the Athens Montessori School float.


Shelby Wolf kisses son Johan, 22-months, before the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony.


Santa Claus sprinkles the magic dust to light up the Christmas Tree at City Hall at the end of the annual Parade of Lights.


People surround the Christmas Tree after the lighting ceremony after the Parade of Lights Thursday in downtown Athens.