Friona welcomes Christmas in a BIG way
It’s official…the Christmas season in Friona was ushered in with beautiful music, bright lights and Santa this week.
“A Harvey Christmas” hosted by the Union Congregational Church got Christmas going with a program filled with holiday cheer on Sunday afternoon at the Friona High School auditorium. The event to was held to raise funds for the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund.
The program began with Dr. Robert Alexander reading the Christmas Story to his grandchildren and ended with the performers singing Christmas carols with the audience while Rev. Joe Schulte played the guitar.
A rousing rendition of “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer” was presented by Andy Alexander and the Methodist Church Choir performed a melody of Christmas hymns. The Alexander Family sang a melody of their favorite Christmas carols.
Cellist Miranda Parvin performed a Bach Concerto as well as accompanied the Alexander family. Victoria Williams played a piano solo of Carol of the Bells. The reigning Miss Friona Brooklynne Johnston sang “Grown Up Christmas List” and Debra Beauchamp sang “Breath of Heaven”.
Santa arrived at the Friona City Park Monday afternoon on the Campbell Family antique fire truck and was greeted by jubilant children and their parents waiting to share their wishes with him. Santa was accompanied by Miss Friona first runner-up Erica Barrera and Little Miss Friona Abigail Guerra who handed out candy to the children after they sat on Santa’s lap. The event was sponsored by the Friona Chamber of Commerce.
The Friona City Park was lit up and ready for Christmas thanks to the many groups and organizations that sponsored a tree for the event.
The National English Honor Society was the winner of the Traveling Tomahawk award. The judges commented that they liked the idea of the tree being interactive.
The Traveling Christmas Tree award went to Prairie Acres as the People’s Choice winner with a total of 154 canned goods collected.
There was a total of 651 canned goods collected and they weighed 605 pounds. The Friona Junior High collected 184 cans at school for their own food drive.
Assorted vendors provided hot chocolate and delicious tamales to the crowds as they waited for the parade to begin.
Santa made swift work of hearing Christmas wishes and was whisked away to his sleigh (the fire truck) to join the 2nd Annual Lighted Christmas Parade. Santa was the Grand Marshall for the evening being joined by Barrera and Guerra as well as all the elves that were on hand to help the jolly, old elf.
The parade began on Euclid Street and made it’s way down Main Street the City Park before circling the park and giving all those in attendance a good view of all the floats and vehicles entered in the parade. Prizes and ribbons were given to the winners at the conclusion of the parade.
The Christmas season will continue to be evident in Friona as you drive down Main Street and enjoy the decorations that have been installed by the City of Friona. Merry Christmas to all!
