Editor's note: Due to inclement weather, the parade has been rescheduled for 5 p.m. Dec. 20.
BENTON, Mo. — The coronavirus pandemic may have prevented the annual Benton Neighbor Days and its parade in September, but it won’t stop the city and its chamber of commerce from hosting the town’s first-ever Christmas parade.
Set for 5 p.m. Sunday, the parade will follow the same the route as the Neighbor Day parade, which was canceled this year due to the coronavirus. Lineup will begin at 4:30 p.m. at the T-ball field in Benton. No float registration is required.
“I think there are a lot of people looking for any excuse to get out right now, and with this parade, they can spread themselves out and won’t be touching anyone,” said Benton Chamber of Commerce President Jim Wade. “They can watch from a safe distance.”
Wade said he’s received quite a bit of positive feedback about the upcoming parade.
“We’ve had a lot of people with old cars and big trucks who plan to be in the parade. The Chamber will have a float,” Wade said.
Kelly High School band is planning to participate and fire trucks are also slated to ride in the parade, Wade said.
“Santa Claus will be there,” he added.
The 5 p.m. starting time is due to many of the floats being decorated with Christmas lights, Wade said.
The idea for the parade originated recently from some members of St. Denis Catholic Church in Benton, who usually have a Christmas caroling event each year, Wade said.
“The last couple of years, the St. Denis Parish put together a Christmas caroling parade and would walk all up and down the streets,” said Sandra Bollinger of Benton. “People who didn’t want to sing would put lights on golf carts, and we did it just to have a little Christmas spirit through our community.”
Bollinger credited her friend Cheri Vetter of Benton with suggesting a citywide parade instead of the Christmas caroling this year.
“It’s the first time we’ve done a Christmas parade, and that’s exciting, too,” Bollinger said. “We’re putting together a float for St. Denis Church, and we’ll have carolers on our float instead of doing our traditional caroling.”
Wade said all are welcome to attend Sunday’s parade.
“Just bring your own lawn chairs and find spots to site around the Scott County Courthouse. People can sit in their cars and don’t have to worry about being exposed and maybe even experience the Christmas spirit,” Wade said.
Bollinger agreed.
“Please come out and show your support,” Bollinger said. “We’re trying to enlighten everyone’s spirits— and that’s all we want. This is just a goodwill that the community is trying to put forth.”