Santa Claus arrived in Gilmer riding a red fire truck at the end of the annual Yulefest Parade. The parade started earlier this year to the delight of the crowd which packed the square as they waited under starry skies with ideal, cool windless conditions.

The Gilmer Lions Club won first place among civic clubs with their predominantly blue and red Rockin’ Christmas float. Lady Chelsey Alexander, her escort Brady English, and miscellaneous children around a Christmas tree added color and spirit of the affair.

Placing second place was Princess Shelby Hutto with the Rotary Club’s Christmas in Venice. Also participating among the civic clubs were Kiwanis with Lady Angel Michelle Yochum, Twentieth Century Club with Lady Kayla Smith, and Beta Sigma Phi with Lady Emily Chevalier.

Taking first place in the commercial division was Upshur Manor as staff and children dressed in Christmas nightware celebrated around a Christmas tree a bicentennial Christmas.

Big Sandy Schools and Chamber of Commerce took first place with their school division float, bringing their duchesses Hannah South and Anna Peterson to the Yule celebrations.

New this year was an entry by the Gilmer Area Girl Scouts with girls from Gilmer, Harmony, and Ore City. Wearing either Santa-style red and white stocking caps or reindeer antlers, the girls piled into Santa’s Workshop to celebrate the season.

Footlight dancers dressed in pink and zebra stripes and J.W. and Brenda Jeffery in their Christmas light decorated truck joined the Gilmer High and Gilmer Junior High Bands in creating a festive occasion for all to enjoy.