The historical Tennessee Theatre on Gay Street
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Went to the Knoxville annual Christmas Parade last night. The newspaper said this morning there were about 35,000 in attendance which I think is pretty good since the temperature was around 30 degrees. There were lots of cold, happy people in attendance.

Downtown on Gay St. waiting for the parade to start

Downtown at the corner of Gay & Clinch waiting for the parade to start

The Knoxville City and Knox County motorcycle police officers wait for the parade to start in front of the Tennessee Theatre

The Knoxville City and Knox County motorcycle police officers wait for the parade to start in front of the Tennessee Theatre

Everyone is excited, the parade is fixing to start……..

Here’s the Karns High School marching band….they did a great job.

Knoxville's Pilot Corporation corporate float

Knoxville's Pilot corporation float

There were lots of churches and religious themed floats

There were lots of churches and religious themed floats

and horses............

and horses............

And more marching bands…………….

We got to our spot about 45 minutes before the parade started to get a good spot. That turned out to be a good because people were 5 and 6 deep behind us after the parade started. Lots of kids of all ages, lots of happy faces in spite of the cold, and lots of shouts of “Merry Christmas” and “Where’s Santa Claus Mommy?”

And what’s a parade without lots of floats…………..there were lots of floats.

There were over 60 floats of all sorts, sizes, and shapes..........

There were over 60 floats of all sorts, sizes, and shapes..........

The Knoxville Fire Department is always represented

The Knoxville Fire Department

The Knoxville Fire Department was well represented with several engines and firemen. This is their now retired, 1907 American-LaFrance horse drawn steam engine. It’s driven by retired firefighters.

Another antique fire engine.......

Another antique fire engine.......

with some antique firefighters onboard. ;-)

And another marching band,

And another marching band,

I didn’t get this one’s name……sorry.

And last but certainly not least…..here’s Santa Claus in person…………

Santa Claus

Santa Claus

Santa was saying “Merry Christmas” to all and looking for good little boy & girls.

A great parade as usual and 35,000+ happy folks went home to dream of Santa and his upcoming visit along with visions of sugarplums.

Merry Christmas to all.

BTW, it’s still not too late to put a nice Knoxville area house or condo under your Christmas tree…..KnoxvilleHomeCenter.com is the place to shop.

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