60 degrees on Dec. 9 proves ideal for local lighted parades

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 December 2023 at 10:31 pm

Albion and Barre both host procession of illuminated vehicles

Photos by Tom Rivers

Albion and Barre both hosted lighted parades this evening with Barre having its annual tractor parade down Route 98 at 5:30 p.m., and Albion having “Santa’s Hometown Parade” at 6:30 p.m.

Santa waves in the top photo while sitting on a trailer adorned with lights in the Barre parade.

It was a balmy 60 degrees for the parades, at a time of year when it is often snowing with high winds in a deep freeze.

Many of the people watching the parade didn’t even have a coat on, with some people in short sleeve shirts.

The Albion Fire Department was led Brantley Conner in the battery-operated car. He was joined by his brother Lucas Conner and mother Amber. AJ Fisher is at left.

Mike and Cyndy Van Lie Shout ride in a tractor wishing “A Barre Merry Christmas To All.” The parade in Barre started at the Van Lie Shout farm on East Barre Road near Route 98 and then headed north.

Dawn Spencer of the Eye of Oden gives an enthusiastic greeting on Main Street in Albion. She and the other dog trainers led dogs which wore blue light-up sweathers. Eye of Oden had a “Blue Christmas” theme to express their sadness on the death of a beloved dog, George’s Legend.

This tractor heads north on Route 98 in the tractor parade.

The middle school chorus, led by teacher Karen Conn, sings “Feliz Navidad” while walking down Platt Street in the Albion parade.

These tractor are lined up at the Van Lieshout farm before the start of the Barre parade. The inflatable boot is for A.L. Bennett & Sons, which sells boots and other supplies.