Christmas time in New Madrid

Monday, December 15, 2014

Jill Bock, Staff

New Madrid celebrated Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 13, with a parade and Santa's Village. Also the public had the opportunity to visit the Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site, Higgerson School Historic Site, the New Madrid Historical Museum, the Immaculate Conception Church and the Hart-Stepp Gallery at no charge.

New Madrid drew a large crowd to check out its second annual Christmas parade on Dec. 13. This year's parade theme was Christmas movies, drawing a number of floats. (Jill Bock, Staff)
Second place in parade competition went to the New Madrid PTO with their depiction of "A Christmas Story." (Jill Bock, Staff)
The back part of the New Madrid Elementary School's float had an additional scene from "A Christmas Story." (Jill Bock, Staff)
A member of the New Madrid County Central Middle School marching band is decked in holiday fashion. The band earned first place for its performance in the parade. (Jill Bock, Staff)

Members of Immaculate Conception School created Whoville from the "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." (Jill Bock, Staff)
A Who from Whoville. (Jill Bock, Staff)
The Riverbend Botanical Society entertained the crowd with their depiction of "Elf on a Shelf." (Jill Bock, Staff)
A member of the Kelly Hawks Marching band is reflected in his own horn. The Kelly band placed third in the marching band competition. (Jill Bock, Staff)
A youngster seems a little unsure about the candy being offered from employees of the New Madrid County Highway Department. However, she soon helped herself. (Jill Bock, Staff)
Visitors bundled up but still found much to like about Saturday''s parade. (Jill Bock, Staff)
A local congregation gave their take on "It's a Charlie Brown Christmas." (Jill Bock, Staff)
Members of the Optimist Club helped pass out treat bags to youngsters lining the streets. (Jill Bock, Staff)
Taking third place was the Riley/Landers depiction of "The National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation." (Jill Bock, Staff)
The city of New Madrid won first place with their depiction of The Griswald Family Christmas from "The National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation." (Jill Bock, Staff)
A youngster waves at a parade participant. (Jill Bock, Staff)
Santa arrived without his reindeer but found a handy replacement to pull his sleigh. (Jill Bock, Staff)
Annsten Halford, 5, of New Madrid talks with one of Santa's Helpers who assisted her in writing her letter to Santa Claus at the Higgerson School Historic Site. (Jill Bock, Staff)
Chamber of Commerce Director Christina McWaters enlisted her own elf to help as she portrayed Mrs. Santa Claus. Youngster were invited to create ornaments for her tree or to take home. (Jill Bock, Staff)
Meredith Stanley check's Santa's Naughty or Nice List to find the names of youngsters who visited the Bank of New Madrid Saturday in hopes of receiving a special "Debit" card to obtain a chocolate coin. (Jill Bock, Staff)
Bank of New Madrid employee Amanda Keene assists youngsters with using Santa's ATM which dispensed a chocolate coin. (Jill Bock, Staff)