BY TRACY LEE TATE
Times Staff Writer
LAKE BUTLER — The city of Lake Butler held its annual Christmas parade and visit with Santa last Saturday, Dec. 3, with parade goers lining the streets and children lining up to see Santa.
The theme for this year’s parade was “Christmas on the Railroad and the participants were with the program as most of the 24 floats and vehicles were decorated in a train theme and some even were broadcasting train sound effects as they rolled down the streets.
In the annual judging of the floats, Lake Butler Hospital took first place honors, followed by Culture House Church in second place and Boy Scout Troop 140 coming in third.
In addition to the floats and vehicles, the Union County Tiger Band was on hand, leading the parade and the Union County Fire Department brought up the rear (except for the horses who ALWAYS go last in line) with Santa riding on top of the engine.
Several floats and walkers threw candy to the onlookers and two gave out toys as they passed down the street. The gift bags given out by Santa were sponsored by Comcast, with the Florida/Georgia Safe Stuffed Animals For Emergencies/Lake Butler Women’s Club and Andrews Site Prep providing the toys and stuffed animals given to kids as they watched the parade.
At the big pavilion at Lake Side Park, there was already a line before the “jolly old elf” managed to make it to the park after getting off the fire engine. Santa was patient and spoke with every child there to see him. Santa has Amanda Brown, from the Lake Butler City Hall doing elf duty for him as he gave away 65 gift bags to the waiting children.
Christmas may still be about two weeks away, but Union County is already enjoying the holiday cheer. Next Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, there will be two holiday events in the county – Breakfast with Santa at the Raiford Community Center at 8 a.m. and Christmas in the Park (featuring crafts, fun, music and treats) in the city park in Worthington Springs at 6 p.m.
