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The Calera Parks and Recreation Department hosted the 2024 Calera Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 7, with a “Winter Wonderland” theme and colorful floats. (For the Reporter/Jonathan Pearce)

By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

CALERA – The Calera Parks and Recreation Department put on a successful Christmas parade on Dec. 7, ringing in the 2024 holiday season with decorative floats and colorful light displays.

Numerous Calera residents lined the side Highway 31 to watch this year’s installment of the parade, which featured the theme, “Winter Wonderland.”

“There were a lot of great floats, a lot of lights really capturing that Winter Wonderland feel,” said Tyler Madison, the community program manager for the Calera Parks and Recreation department.

The community turnout from Calera was also impressive, with Madison noting the variety of local groups which took the time to participate.

“(We) had a lot of local businesses as well as high schools, cheerleaders, various sports teams. We had a lot of the businesses from Main Street come in as well.”

Out of the many floats and displays he saw, Madison shared that he was able to pick out three that stole the show.

“DC’s Smokehouse’s float was great,” Madison said. “The Polar Express float was a great float as well, so was the Marc-1 Car Wash float.”

Madison believes that the annual Christmas parade is integral to the heartbeat of the city of Calera.

“It means a great deal (to Calera),” he said. “Getting everybody in the Christmas spirit, it’s always a great season. Everyone who wanted to see Santa, wanted to see Christmas lights, wanted to see floats, we were able to combine all of that into one to make it a great parade.”

Madison shared that this year’s event was a great success and said that it was a lot of fun seeing the various businesses around town and schools participate in the parade.

“The atmosphere this year felt like we were in a winter wonderland,” he said. “Everybody did a great job. Hopefully, next year we can make it even better.”

Those interested in learning more about city events and the Calera Parks and Recreation department may visit Caleraparkandrec.com.

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