Warm weather greets parade-goers

FAIRFIELD – There was no “White Christmas” this year as snow flurries have yet to grace Southeast Iowa.

However, it wasn’t all bad, especially for residents who visited Fairfield on Christmas Eve for Fairfield Rotary’s annual parade featuring St. Nick in his sleigh. That afternoon, the temperature reached 63 degrees. Though it wasn’t quite that warm by the time the parade ended at 6:15 p.m. in Central Park, several people in the crowd could be seen without coats.

This year’s unusually warm weather was a sharp contrast to last year, when the parade had to be moved up a day because the projected high on Christmas Eve that year was just 5 degrees, with a wind chill of minus 5.

The parade began at the Iowa National Guard Armory at 5 p.m. and then went on its typical route through town before ending up on the west side of the Fairfield square, where Santa and Mrs. Claus greeted children in their sleigh. Members of the Southeast Iowa Chamber Singers sang Christmas carols from one of the floats, and at the tail end of the procession was a vehicle containing someone dressed as the Dr. Seuss character, “The Grinch.”

Fairfield Rotary interim president Colleen Stone said the parade was a success.

“I think it went very well indeed!” she said.

Stone said the Rotarians made 470 goodie bags to toss to onlookers along the route, and she estimated they tossed at least 350 of those, and kept the rest for Santa and Mrs. Claus to give to the children who visited them.

“It was a very successful and fun evening,” Stone said.

A few members of Fairfield Rotary’s youth arm, Interact, helped escort kids into and out of Santa’s sleigh, and they were Antariksha Sharma and Giteeka Adhikari.

This year’s Christmas Eve parade, Rotary’s 99th, was dedicated to Larry Nash, a Fairfield Rotarian who is stepping down from the club this year after 57 years of service.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com