Plains gets in festive spirit with Christmas parade
Mr. and Mrs. Claus ride on Santa's sleigh in the Plains Christmas parade last weekend. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Parade Grand Marshall Rob Vines. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Adeline Huyghe, 7, from Plains has a discussion with Santa during the tree lighting and parade celebrations. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
The Southside Sparks 4-H Club parade float. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
3-year-old Gracie Burbach and five-year-old Lincoln Boehler build ornaments for the town Christmas tree. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Plains started off the Christmas season in a big way this past Saturday.
Local merchants began the day celebrating Small Business Saturday with special events and promotions. Late in the afternoon the Plains school parking lot filled up in preparation for the Christmas parade.
This year the parade included 42 floats ranging from brightly lit personal vehicles, motorcycles, fire engines and an ambulance. The Southside Sparks 4-H Club’s float filled with members made an appearance along with this year's Grand Marshal Rob Vine, who will be present at both the Thompson Falls and Plains parades.
Mr. and Mrs. Claus and two elves made their appearance on a borrowed sleigh provided by the Thompson Falls Rural Fire Department. This is the fourth year the Spurr family has filled the Santa and Mrs. Claus role during the parade and Steve Spurr’s 10th year filling the Santa role for the community. Spurr is the president of the local Lions Club who sponsors the Greenway Christmas Lighting event each year.
Marv and Margo Tanner were on hand at the Lions booth to pass out baked potatoes and long sticks for the marshmallow roast. Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves stopped by after the parade to catch up on the children’s wish lists.
Mrs. Claus, aka Whitney Tanner-Spurr, was able to light this year's Christmas tree in preparation for another Christmas season.
Parade Grand Marshall Rob Vines. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Adeline Huyghe, 7, from Plains has a discussion with Santa during the tree lighting and parade celebrations. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
The Southside Sparks 4-H Club parade float. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
3-year-old Gracie Burbach and five-year-old Lincoln Boehler build ornaments for the town Christmas tree. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)