Bryant Christmas Parade

The Bryant Chamber of Commerce hosted the Bryant Christmas parade the morning of Dec. 7, a tradition that has been kept alive for 12 years now. The Bryant band participated in the parade, bringing on the musical component. 

Band members lined up on Market Place Avenue at 9 a.m. and took off at 10 a.m., leading a two-hour parade that snaked around the Bryant Shopping Center on Horizon Drive. 

People lined the roads to watch as the band marched down the new route, filling the morning with lively and festive holiday music such as “Joy to the World.” To capture the spirit of Christmas, some band students decked out their instruments with decorations, and the color guard wore blue Santa hats. 

Local businesses and schools could also submit parade entries such as floats, featured and reviewed by judges for cash prizes. Parkway Elementary School won first place, followed by Salem Elementary in second and Big Tex Trailer World in third. Santa and Mrs. Claus appeared at the end of the parade line-up, wrapping up the show on a jolly note. 

Senior Ashia Walls, who has been a part of band since her freshman year, performed with color guard in the parade for one last time. 

“I’m a little sad,” Walls said. “I remember my first time in the parade. I’m going to miss making fun of my directors and performing with everyone.”