Celebrating Christmas cheer in Clio

CLIO — Sunday’s warmer weather brought out throngs of people ready for some Christmas Cheer at Clio’s Christmas Parade and Christmas on Main events from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The festivities started with a parade that began shortly after 3 p.m. Parade units included government officials, churches, a race car, classic cars, step groups and dance troupes, the Marlboro County High School Marching Band, a women’s 3-wheeler motorcycle club bedecked in Santa hats, local businesses, fraternities and sororities, firetrucks from around the county, and, of course, Santa Claus.

Many floats and vehicles threw out candy for joyful children as they passed by, and the town council threw out stuffed animals. Mrs. Claus also walked the parade route handing out candy.

After the parade, Christmas on Main began with vendors set up in a lot around the town Christmas tree. There was a face-painter on hand and basketball goals set up for the little ones. Food vendors offered fried fish, chicken sandwiches, fish sandwiches, turkey legs, burgers, drinks, and more. If you needed something sweet, there were fruit parfaits, cupcakes, and ice cream available.

Decked out in mostly red, gold, and silver ornaments, the town Christmas tree sparkled in the late afternoon light and stood like a silent sentinel in the midst of it all. The tree lighting was scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

To wrap up the festivities, the movie “The Grinch” was scheduled to be shown outside at 6 p.m.