| Eastwood High School’s marching band entertains crowd along Main Street. (Photos: JD Pooley/Sentinel-Tribune) |
Though it was far too warm for snow to fall Saturday on the annual Holiday Parade, there was an abundance
of snowflakes seen along Main Street capturing the theme, "Sparkling Snowflakes Jubilee."
The snowflakes were displayed on the people who marched the nearly two-mile route, they were on golf
carts, trucks, floats and even decorating the tires of a bus. One of the most outstanding displays of
the snowflakes were the ones made of 100 or more aluminum cans on the Wood County Solid Waste District
and Bowling Green Recycling Center entry. PHOTO BLOG
Many of the floats were elaborate, others were simple, but either way, the participants and the
spectators both love this annual tradition.
There were fewer horses this year than most years, but there were more goats as a 4-H entry featured
three goats. There were also a fair number of canines and a couple of Grinches, including one who rode
down Main Street in a cherry-picker.
The thermometer read in the low 40s at the start of the parade, and grew to the upper 40s by the end of
the 100-minute gala.
One of the younger parade-goers, 7-year-old Garrett Genson, wearing an "angry birds" stocking
cap, not surprisingly enjoyed the library entry featuring people in angry birds garb.
His mother, Jennifer Genson, of Bowling Green, summed up the parade as being "really nice."
She also enjoyed the Bowling Green High School band, but admitted to being partial as an alumni member of
the band. Her boyfriend Eric Rost, made the journey from Maumee for the parade and enjoyed the Bowling
Green Christian motorcycles.
Similar to Genson, Chelsea Dunn, also of Bowling Green, said she liked it all but enjoyed the bands the
most.
Many of the Treble Makers, a group of youth singers from First United Methodist Church in Bowling Green,
were making a repeat appearance in the parade.
| Baton twirlers entertain crowds along the route |
Several of the girls commented about their past experiences. One said she liked "seeing all the
people lined up to watch." Another added she liked to "wave hi to my friends." One other
member of the group noted how she liked seeing all the floats.
They sang songs from their Christmas pageant including two of their favorites, "We Three Kings"
and "Ring Christmas Bells."
While some participate in the parade for the enjoyment, Fawn Crawfoot has other motives. As leader of the
Native Pride and Friends entry, she marches to honor Native American veterans and all veterans. Her
husband was killed in the Korean War, and has lost other relatives in the service.
The Zenobia Shrine is also one of the traditional entries. The Turkeyfoot Clan brought five units in
their entry including the crowd-favorite rolling outhouse.
Catfish Jimmy Snetz of Walbridge, a member of the King’s Church Motorcycle Association, said they always
enjoy the fun and fellowship.
"This parade always helps us get into the Christmas spirit as it’s our first Christmas parade of
each year," Snetz said.
One of the entries making its debut in this year’s parade was the Aktion Club, a group affiliated with
Bowling Green Kiwanis Club, which is designed to do community service work for individuals with
developmental disabilities who want to give back to the community.
Michael Stanford, president of the club, said, "We like helping out in the community and doing fun
stuff like going to a Walleye game."
| Spectators line Main Street in the downtown area for the annual parade |
For the parade, instead of giving candy or other things away, they had a truck which collected canned
goods and other food donations which were later delivered to the Bowling Green Food Pantry.
Stanford said they hope to make this an annual event that grows in future years.
""We got a whole truckload of food," Stanford said after the parade, noting they filled
the bed of a pick-up truck roughly half full.
"We had a very good time, and we’re just happy to give back to the community," he added.
Jay Salvage, a co-adviser for the club said, "These guys are all about community service."
Being part of the that community spirit is nothing new for Wood County Commissioner Tim Brown.
Brown said he has been part of the parade for more than 20 years, dating back to when he worked with
Congressman Paul Gillmor.
"I still enjoy it after all these years," Brown said. "This is after the election, so none
of us have to be here, we want to be here. It is a real community atmosphere."
