Albion celebrates lighted parade with many Christmas characters
Hearth & Home wins first place among 26 floats in parade
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Charles W. Howard Hometown Parade was capped with this float with Santa in a sleigh on a trailer with a band, Christmas trees and reindeer in flight.
A group of volunteers tried to create a float with the flair of the late Charles W. Howard, who ran a Santa school in Albion from 1937 until his death in 1966. Howard also was the Santa for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and operated Christmas Park in Albion.
His granddaughter Jane Holland of Williamsville attended the parade and appreciated the community’s efforts to celebrate her grandfather.
The float with Santa and the reindeer pass by the Orleans County Courthouse on Main Street.
This sleigh created by Albion contractor Jim Babcock made its debut in the parade. It will be put near the bronze statue of Santa and the 24-foot-long Santa mural at Waterman Park on Main Street.
The sleigh was built in memory of Charles Bergeman, who was the grandson of Charles Howard. He passed away at age 64 on Oct. 31, 2023. His wife Carol of Lewiston attended the parade on Saturday.
Hearth & Home, a real estate business in Albion, won first place among the 26 floats in the parade.
Hearth & Home gets its float ready for the parade while in the staging area at the municipal lot by CRFS.
Bloom’s Flower Shop was picked for second place.
Wild Flour Deli was the third place winner in the parade.
The judges gave an honorable mention to the Orleans County Bicentennial Committee for its float celebrating the county’s upcoming 200th anniversary in 2025.
The Bicentennial Committee has embraced an ox as a mascot to celebrate the 200th. The ox on the trailer was painted by artist Stacey Kirby Steward.
Robyn Watts created this ox costume, which was worn by Cordelia Rivers in the parade. The ox gave many high fives along the parade route.
Mick Tower served as grand marshal for the parade. He rides in a truck with his son Ron. Mick worked for Charles Howard, building many of the rides and attractions at Christmas Park.
Cutaia Trucking in Fairport carried an inflatable Grinch in its lighted up truck.
Eye of Oden K9 Training from Kent brought several dogs with lighted up vests.
Sheryl Watts of Air Raising Events created a Christmas tree with ornaments all made out of balloons.
The Albion Fire Department also had a Grinch character walking in the parade and the fire truck was decorated in green lights.
The Lockstone event center had a float with a bride in a wedding dress.
A Grinch character with the Village of Albion Christmas float greets people along Main Street.
The Who Dats performed Christmas music from a trailer. From left include John Borrello, Todd Graham and Lonnie Froman.
The Hitmen Brass Band also performed in the parade.
