Staff Report
Gainesville Daily Register
Muenster —
Muenster citizens and officials made the season jolly with the city’s annual holiday parade, conducted Saturday afternoon on Main Street.
The afternoon included appearances by floats sponsored by Muenster Kiwanis Club, Future Farmers of America, Cooke County Electric Cooperative, among other organizations, plus special vehicles presented by faculty and students of both Muenster Independent School District and Sacred Heart Catholic School.
“It went extremely well,” said Muenster Chamber of Commerce Executive Director John Broyles. “Muenster is proud to be able to kick off the holiday season with the first parade of the county, and we intend to carry out that tradition of setting the spiritual pace, as it were, for the holiday.”
Members of the Muenster High School Band marched in uniform alongside the procession and offered Christmas arrangements while representatives of Saint Jo riding clubs galloped between the vehicles.
After the parade, Santa Claus — played by Randy Fleitman — received visitors in a special workshop at Hess Furniture on North Main Street while local vendors provided crafts and holiday-themed foods.
The Santa meet and greet was a hit with local kids, Broyles said.
“The children came in and expressed to Santa their Christmas wishes and it was a very long line,” Broyles said.
Among the marchers, a few floats and groups were singled out for awards. Cooke County Electric Cooperative received the “Best Business” float award.
Cub Scout Troop 664 received the “Most Creative” float award.
The Muenster ISD band received a “Best Marching Band” award and the Red River Stars riding club received a “Best Equestrian” award.
