CLINTON — The Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau’s Christmas Parade took place on Saturday, November 24. The Chamber  thanked everyone who participated in the parade.

The parade was a success, with over 53-degree weather for all to enjoy. Complimentary cups of hot cocoa, along with Liberty Village’s delicious cookies, were served by volunteers from Celebrate Clinton, Inc. Big R Concessions sold kettle corn as a fundraiser for Celebrate Clinton’s Fourth of July Celebration next year. The Vespasian Warner Public Library offered “sweet candycane bookmarks” to children. Tradewind Energy opened up its doors, offering complimentary hot cider for parade attendees.

The Clinton Chamber of Commerce  thanks all the volunteers that helped with the parade:

• Banner carriers this year were from Clinton High School FFA: Krayton Carter, Elsie Nord, Cheyanne Lingo, Emily Wade, Areanna Whitlock, Hailee Hawkins, and Kole Weiss.

• Parade entry line-up volunteers: Carolyn Jameson, Janell Baum Thomas, Gabe Goldsmith, Krystal Cicenas, Michael Moore, Chae Mills, Dan Taylor, Jordan Sturgeon, Malarie Terry, Steve Meade, Leslie Andrews, and Marian Brisard.

• Lacy Phelps, Tourism & Marketing Coordinator with the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, was the parade announcer.

• Drivers who volunteered were Mayor Roger Cyrulik (City of Clinton Officials) in a vehicle from Anderson Ford of Clinton. The Grand Marshal entry featuring Sheriff Jered Shofner lead the parade. Jacob Taylor, AMS, Inc. pulled Santa’s float.

Others deserving a thank you for their assistance with the parade are Mayor Cyrulik and Clinton City Commissioners Ballenger, Crang, Edmunds, and Wise, City of Clinton Street Department, Clinton Police Department, Lance Schmid Auctions, Clinton Auto Auction, EMC Photography, Steve Meade Enterprises, David Mayfield, Jim Mandrell, and Central Illinois Associates, LLC.

If you were unable to attend the parade, Ed Cicenas of EMC Photography created a video for everyone to enjoy. You can check this out on the Clinton Illinois Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

Santa will welcome visitors to his house on Mr. Lincoln’s Square on four Saturdays in December (1, 8, 15, & 11) from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Visiting Santa is free and sponsored by the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau.

Parade Winners:

Walkers 1st Place: East End Grill’s Snowmen Walkers; 2nd Place: Girl Scouts of Central Illinois

Vehicles 1st Place: Ace Hardware ; 2nd Place: ServPro of Piatt & DeWitt Counties

Floats 1st Place: Cub Scout Pack #142; 2nd Place: Exelon / Clinton Power Station

Equestrian Entry 1st Place: DeWitt County Riding Club; 2nd Place: Cowboys Against Cancer

Motorcycles/ATV’s 1st Place: Midland Mulisha; 2nd Place: Guardians of the Children

Community Service Award: AmVets Post #14, Crang Bennett American Legion Post #103, Hall Evey VFW Post #4168, Fred O’Malley VFW Post #6190, and Darrel Tucker, Commander 2018-2019 AmVets Dept of IL, DeWitt County Sheriff, Clinton Police Department, Clinton Fire Department, Kenney Fire Department, Wapella Fire Department, Waynesville Fire Department, Cen-Com 911 Dispatchers, Warner Hospital, & Health Services, DeWitt County Search & Rescue (GSAR), Clinton Junior High School Marching Band, and Clinton High School Marching Band