BEATRICE – Thousands bundled up to take in a holiday tradition in a southeast Nebraska community, Saturday night.  The 8th Annual Holiday Lighted Parade put on by the Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce traveled along Fifth Street through the downtown, with parade attendees greeted by clear skies and a temperature of 27-degrees.


Over 30 lighted entries took part in the parade this year, which included Santa Claus traveling the route in a convertible. Entries came from local businesses, churches, non-profits, southeast community college, local public safety and government. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Angie Bruna says it was a great turnout.


"From a lot of people that went through the parade that have had entries each year, they said it was a bigger crowd than usual. There were crowds five or six people deep along the sidewalks and the whole route. From my understanding, it was that way up until about the very end....so it was great."


Families and their kids lined up to meet Santa’s Reindeer…there was a live nativity scene, coffee and hot chocolate were served. Traubel’s popcorn stand was also a popular stop during the event. Musical entertainment was provided before the start of the parade. The parade line-up was at Fifth and Perkins and people lined both sides of the street as entries rolled north, to the Carnegie Building and Charles Park.  The number of entries in this eighth year of the event set a record, with 32 signed participating in the event.


"This year, I think everybody just stepped up their game a little bit more, and it was really fun to see the creativity and the excitement....just the smiles from everybody who was watching the parade and everybody going through the parade. It was one of those Hallmark movie moments."


The award for Best Lights went to Envision Landscapes and their Santa’s Workshop….the Best Theme Award goes to Lineweber Dirt Works…..and the Best Holiday Spirit Award going to the Southeast Community College Agriculture Club. Trophies will be going to all three winning entrants.


Judges included Erich Tiemann, Bob Morgan, Chloe Oltman and Ethan Jordan.  A volunteer committee organizes the annual lighted parade.