By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

CHELSEA – Chelsea Citizen Observer Patrol member Frances Irene was as bright and cheery as the neon yellow safety vest she was wearing as she helped patrol Shelby County 47 during the Chelsea Christmas Parade on Dec. 19.

“I’m certainly excited to be out here,” Irene said. “It’s just a beautiful day to be out here for Christmas.”

Irene and other COP members were stationed along the parade route to make sure families lining the parade route were safe as vehicles and floats passed.

For Irene, the parade marked her first as a COP member.

“I’m excited to be one of the COPs here in Chelsea,” she said. “We have had a wonderful day. I think the people are really excited. It’s a good family event.”

Becky Stephens and her children experienced their first Chelsea Christmas Parade this year.

“This is our third year in Chelsea, but this is our first time at the parade,” Stephens said. “I think next year we’re going to tailgate.”

Rachael Spencer said she enjoys seeing so many people come out to the parade, an event that seems to grow each year.

“It’s awesome,” Spencer said. “It’s a good parade. I wish we had more stuff like this.”

Sheri Thompson, her family and several other families set up a tent and tailgated on the grass along the parade route.

“It’s a tradition we started last year, to come out and tailgate and watch the parade,” Thompson said. “It’s fun. The parade has gotten so big.”

Numerous vendors comprised the Christmas Village, where parade-goers can find food, arts and crafts and other items for sale.

Kitty Barnett, of McCalla, and her husband were selling handmade wooden birdhouses, wind jigs, bird feeders and other items.

“We enjoy being outside,” she said. “It’s the weather. Everybody wants to get out.”

Barnett said she has been a vendor at Chelsea’s Christmas parade for the past three years.

She makes all of the items herself.

“I just enjoy doing it,” Barnett said.

Chelsea Fire and Rescue conducted its annual “Santa Stop” following the parade.

Santa rode atop the fire department’s Engine 31 and Engine 32 to greet children at designated stops along two routes throughout the city.