By Herb Moering

No virus pandemic was going to stop the City of Alamo from welcoming in the Christmas season on Saturday, Dec. 12. However, the traditional parade for “Lighting Our Way into 2021” was impacted to some degree with a shift to just decorated and lighted vehicles, with bands and other marchers eliminated and fewer spectators lining the route.

 

The lighting of the large Christmas tree in Central Park at the end of the parade also was a bit different with social distancing asked for as Miss Alamo hit the connection following the countdown. The 2020 pageant winner, Gianna Salinas, had her court on hand including Princess Amaya Rhodes, Duchess Christnah Cruz and Ambassador Daniela Zapata.

They were joined by Alamo’s City Commission members, led by Mayor Diana Martinez with Santa Claus of course, Tripp Wright, from Alamo Rec-Veh Park. Actually, a number of residents from that park participated driving their decorated, lighted golf carts, including Mrs. Santa, Wright’s wife, Martha.

Part of Rec-Veh’s contingent included Mark Norman in his first parade, who came dressed like the Christmas Grinch and riding his three-wheel, decorated motorcycle. He has been riding bikes since he was 16 back in Missouri. “I like it (this bike) in particular,” he said. “It’s nice to ride out in the country.”

He and his wife are full-time RVers, spending six months in the “Valley” for the past six years. The couple, who hail from Missouri originally, spend the other six months traveling, usually to the East Coast around the D.C. area to see their son in the Navy, daughter in the Marines and grandchildren.

Like many others, the pandemic knocked out their plans to go to the D.C. area with just about everything closed down in Virginia. They didn’t get to see the grandkids, but they have plans to go this next summer if things open up.

Among the floats, Disney characters were popular. Ella Maldonado came dressed as a “Frozen” character, Anna, and Emily Garza was Elsa. The two juniors from Vanguard Academy in Alamo frequently dress those characters and carefully visit hospitals, nursing homes, and other schools in addition to doing an occasional birthday party.

Among others in the parade were PSJA Memorial Early College High School Dazzlers team, the high school cheerleaders, City Public Works Department employees, IDEA School, 2019-2020 Teacher of the Year Mr. De Leon and lots of fire engines and police vehicles.

To view the parade and see the Christmas tree being lit, visit the City of Alamo website.