CHRISTMAS PARADE

Sugar was in doggie heaven at the Jackson Jaycee Christmas Parade, wearing an angel costume during the walk down High Street.

JACKSON -- Four-year-old Elijah Glastetter wore his red Santa hat to the Jackson Christmas Parade so he would fit in with the holiday festivities Saturday afternoon.

But it didn't take long for Elijah to turn that hat into a sack to haul his candy.

He and his little sister, Anna, were watching for their older siblings in the annual parade that travels through uptown Jackson. They waved at passing floats, covered their ears as the band passed and scampered after candy tossed their way.

The parade, sponsored by the Jackson Jaycees, had 84 registered entries and a handful of last-minute additions.

This year's parade featured many of the traditional floats and entries, but the number of horses and motorcycles was up dramatically from previous years.

The parade experienced a pause after a 9-year-old boy, a participant in the parade, fell under the wheels of a parade trailer. Paramedics, on hand for the parade, were able to treat the child quickly. He was taken to Southeast Missouri Hospital where he was treated and released.

Parade marshal was Nick Leist, former Jackson High School band director.

Hundreds of parade watchers crowded the sidewalks, in places four or five people deep, many in short sleeves and very few with jackets.

By the parade's 1:30 p.m. start, all the drizzle had stopped and temperatures hit 70 degrees.

One of the winning entries was a Brownie troop celebrating a tropical holiday, complete with sand and swimsuits.

"The weather was beautiful, not cold at all," said Wanda Lorenz, vice president of the Jackson Jaycees. "We always have a great crowd and a lot of support for the parade."

Seated atop hay bales on the parade's last entry, Jaycees unloaded bucket after bag of candy, showering parade goers.

"This is my favorite part," said Lorenz, "throwing candy off the float."

Kim Haertling, president of the Jaycees, agreed, saying: "People are watching for the Jaycees float. They know we will have lots of candy. This year I've heard a lot of thank yous also. That's nice."

Judges named the following parade winners.

In the non-profit division:

-- Brownie Troop 224, NationsBank Award.

-- SEMO Harley Owners Group, Jackson Chamber of Commerce Award.

-- Girl Scout Troop 53, People's Bank Award.

-- Sinn Family, Jackson Chamber of Commerce Award.

-- Girl Scout Troop 408, Jackson Jaycees Award.

-- Young Doers 4H Club, Jackson Merchants Award.

In the religious division:

-- Zion Lutheran Church, Commerce Bank Award.

-- Covenant Christian Center, Jackson Chamber of Commerce Award.

-- Immaculate Conception Church, Mercantile Bank Award.

In the business division:

-- Hi Cotton Dancers, First National Bank Award.

-- Orthopedic Associates, Union Planters Bank Award.