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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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Rotary warms up Fairfield with Christmas Eve parade
Fairfield Rotary held its 98th annual Christmas Eve Parade on Wednesday. The parade was held a day earlier than normal because frigid temperatures were in the forecast for Thursday (a wind chill below zero), and the Rotarians wanted locals to be able to enjoy the parade without having to fight the bitter cold.
When Santa, Mrs. Claus, his reindeer and elves arrived on his sleigh just past 6 p.m. that evening, a crowd of a few dozen adults and just as many anxious children were waiting to meet St. Nick. Children spoke to Santa through a Plexiglas window, a safety measure to avoid spreading germs. This year's parade was dedicated to longtime Rotarian Gene Luedtke, who died in 2019 at age 73.
A set of bells on the back of this float let Fairfield residents know Santa had come to town. Lettering on the back of this float shows that this year's Fairfield Rotary Christmas Eve Parade was dedicated to the memory of Gene Luedtke. (Andy Hallman/The Union)
Fairfield Rotarian and parade co-chair Dave Reiff, center, fills Santa's sleigh with candy during Wednesday night's Christmas Eve Parade in Fairfield. (Andy Hallman/The Union)
Kids listen to Santa as he tells them who is on his naughty and nice list this year. Pictured are, from left, Franki Cloke, Kori Cloke and Ryan Cloke. (Andy Hallman/The Union)
The crowd waits anxiously for Santa's sleigh on the west side of Fairfield's Central Park Wednesday night. (Andy Hallman/The Union)
Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elves ride into downtown Fairfield Wednesday night. (Andy Hallman/The Union)
Santa and Mrs. Claus give goodie bags to the children who came to visit them Wednesday in Fairfield's Central Park. (Andy Hallman/The Union)
Santa's sleigh is led by an impressive team of reindeer. (Andy Hallman/The Union)
