Christmas Tradition

There is a little town about an hour from Erie called Franklin, PA...and we LOVE to go there. It is a beautiful little place and holds fantastic little festivals and events. Doug and I both like going there because we get the hour ride in the car to talk and catch up, and the events are "small-town" fun that we both enjoy. The events there are always creative and well-planned enough for my enjoyment, and yet small and un-crowded enough for Doug's enjoyment.

The year I was hugely pregnant with Danika and just WAITING for her to finally show up, we decided to attend the Christmas parade in Franklin for the very first time. We had so much fun that we decided to make it a yearly tradition. So, this year we invited my parents to come out and go with us.

What a FANTASTIC fun event that parade is! The unique thing about this parade is that it starts after dark. That is super fun because every float is decorated in tons of christmas lights and all lit up. The parade is long and well-attended, and all the entries are great. And when the parade ends, the parade route closes in on itself and everyone walks down to the town square next to the courthouse. All the people who were standing on the sidelines are now standing in the middle of the blocked off street in front of the "grand-stand." And then the grand finale for this event begins. They set off fireworks from the town square, and they are all set to Christmas music that is playing over the grand-stand speakers. There are ground fire works, low-level fireworks, and traditional full-blown fireworks way up in the sky...all exploding and sparkling in perfect timing with music. It is SO MUCH FUN!

It always seems like the Christmas season is ready to begin after this wonderful "kick-off."

Here are a few pictures from this year's parade. I can hardly wait until next year!