Christmas comes to town
Published 5:54 pm Monday, December 10, 2018
- Robin Hart/robin.hart@amnews.com The Danville High School marching band plays Christmas tunes in the parade while members of the colorguard unit twirl flags
It felt like the North Pole Saturday night during downtown Danville’s Christmas festivities. Grownups and children were bundled up in heavy coats, hats and gloves and some even had warm blankets wrapped around their shoulders during the annual lighting of the Christmas tree in front of the Boyle County Courthouse. Members of the Salvation Army band played traditional tunes and the Danville Children’s Choir performed around the tall, brightly lit tree.
Immediately afterward, the crowd moved to the Community Arts Center and warmed up a bit while enjoying cookies and hot chocolate during a reception that was held for the Christmas revelers.
At the same time, right across the street the Danville Fire Department was serving their annual Chilli dinner where firefighter Larry Davidson served what he calls his homemade “five star, gold ribbon, blue ribbon” chili. He can boast about his chili because he is a four-time city chili cook-off champion.
By 7 p.m., people along the parade route up Main Street were cold, but seemed to be excited about the coming attractions — elves on floats, the Grinch, an angel on a Hoverboard, a tiny pony wearing colored lights, Frosty the Snowman, marching bands, a canoe pulled by Boy Scout “reindeer,” motorcycles and of course the big man himself, Santa Claus.
The Heart of Danville’s annual Christmas parade entries were judged by a panel of judges, who named the following winners:
• Best Themed — Perryville Elementary School Academic Team
• Most Original — American National University, Danville Campus
• Most Spirited — Edna L. Toliver Intermediate School Third Grade Visual and Performing Arts Showcase
- Robin Hart/robin.hart@amnews.com Santa Claus waves to everyone who wrapped up in coats, hats and blankets watching the Danville Christmas parade Saturday night.
- Robin Hart/robin.hart@amnews.com Allen’s Towing and Recovery truck is all decked out in festive holiday lights for the Heart of Danville’s Christmas Parade Saturday night.
- Robin Hart/robin.hart@amnews.com The Danville High School marching band plays Christmas tunes in the parade while members of the colorguard unit twirl flags
- Robin Hart/robin.hart@amnews.com A few members of the Danville Children’s Choir wait on the stairs inside the Community Arts Center Saturday night before singing at a reception that was held right before the downtown parade began.
- Robin Hart/robin.hart@amnews.com Members of the Danville Children’s Choir pose infront of the city’s Christmas tree after the lighting ceremony Saturday night.
- Robin Hart/robin.hart@amnews.com Danville’s Christmas tree is bright with colors when the lights were turned on Saturday night before the downtown parade.
- Robin Hart/robin.hart@amnews.com Children’s faces light up when the city Christmas tree was lit Saturday evening in downtown Danville.
- Robin Hart/robin.hart@amnews.com Elves from Toliver Intermediate School wave at parade watchers as their float travels down Main Street Saturday night.