BonnerSprings.com

The turnout for this year’s Vaughn-Trent Christmas Parade and the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting was higher then ever and there are a couple theories as to why.

“We had our biggest turnout because I think we had so many young people and groups involved,” said Mayor Clausie Smith. “More community involvement is key to any events success.”

With the Bonner Springs High School Jazz Band, the Bonner Springs Elementary choir, local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops and a special visit from Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, the holiday event was jammed full of sites to see.

Starting off the evening, residents lined up to watch as Smith cut a ribbon at the top of Oak Street declaring it “Candy Cane Promenade” for the remainder of the season. This led the way for the parade to make its way down the street. The band played Christmas songs and people sang carols as they passed.

Children spectators rushed around the street curbs as candy was thrown their way. When Santa’s car passed, cheers erupted as children clamored to get a better look.

“As far as the parade went, I thought it went well,” said Jeannine Gallagher, a member of the Bonner Springs Business and Professional Women, which was one of the organizations to host the parade. “It was short and sweet. Santa got a big reception and I thought it was a great turnout considering the coolness of the evening.”

Gallagher said that this year’s parade raised the most nonperishable food items for Vaughn-Trent than ever before. The parade group that won the prize for the biggest contribution was the Boy Scouts.

Smith said another reason he thought the event was such a success was the conjunction of the Vaughn-Trent parade and the Mayor’s Tree Lighting. He said he hopes that’s the way the event continues to be because it draws a bigger crowd and is more fun.

Following the parade, spectators brought their canned goods to buckets that were set up near the city’s decorated Christmas tree in Centennial Park. All gathered around the tree and watched as the Bonner Springs Elementary School choir sang a Christmas carol.

When it was time, the members of the Mayor’s Youth Council threw the switch and the tree’s lights came up among claps and cheers. Santa camped out in the gazebo and a long line of children formed quickly as all eagerly awaited to share their Christmas wish lists.

Jet Fuel handed out 196 free cookies and 175 free cups of hot chocolate to the crowd following the tree lighting and completely ran out of its supply by 6:30pm.

“I think everything went very well,” Smith said of the annual event. “It’s going to become more and more of a tradition as time passes.”

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