With the flip of a switch, Mayor Bill Jones III lit City Hall’s Christmas tree and festive lights, officially kicking off the Christmas season in Temple.
“Let the holidays begin,” the mayor told the crowd of children, parents and onlookers sitting and standing on the sidewalks.
Applause erupted from the crowd, as the color guard from Fort Hood’s 13th COSCOM was the first group to march down Central Avenue.
With partly cloudy skies and temperatures hovering in the low 60s there was a chill in the air, but unlike some past parades which were greeted with “blue northers” and drizzle, the crowd seemed quite comfortable as it eagerly awaited the procession of floats, bands and other participants.
Cumulus broadcasting personalities Lynn Wooley and Lisa Tanner announced the parade, recognizing well-known dignitaries such as U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, State Rep. Dianne White Delisi, R-Temple, the Mayor and City Council, City Manager Mark Watson, Temple Fire Chief Lonzo Wallace, Temple Police Chief Ralph Evangelous, County Judge Jon Burrows and Bell County Sheriff Dan Smith.
