BY DEBBIE PAGE

Under sunny skies and bundled against brisk temperatures, thousands of spectators lined Old Murdock Road and Eastway Drive to watch the annual Troutman Christmas parade on Saturday morning.

Troutman Parks and Decoration Director Emily Watson said 96 entries featuring over a thousand participants signed up for this year’s parade. Highlights included the South Iredell High School Band, holiday floats, antique vehicles and tractors, decked out show cars, Acrofitness kids’ tumbling feats, Scouts, beauty queens, dancers, Grinches, and politicians.

The star of the nearly one-hour parade, Santa Claus, arrived on a Troutman Fire and Rescue engine, waving to delighted children at the parade’s conclusion. Marine Corps League volunteers helped Santa collect gifts for the Toys for Tots program from spectators.

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