Santa Claus in Co-Bo

Just down the road from our lovely town is the thriving hamlet of Co-Bo.  Today, they hosted their Santa Claus parade.

The kids were bundled against the 2 degree weather, (36 degrees to you fahrenheiters) and didn't seem to be bothered by it.  We adults were in serious agony though, and let out the heartiest cheers of the day when Santa finally showed his face.  ("Really!  It's realllllly him?  Screeeeeeeeeeeeech!  OMG, we can go HOOOOOME!")

We enjoyed the event with our new Po-Ho friends, Erin and Mike and their daughter.  P. is a hilarious 5 year old girl who made me laugh with her vigour and energy.  She spent half the parade yelling "Merry Christmas" at the floats/participants (in a way that seemed as though she didn't think they were trying hard enough to incite cheer in the masses) and the other half lunging after the various mascots, seeking furry hugs.   As seen here:

And here:

And especially here:

Erin steps in to save the moose from Piper's eagerness.

Charley kept warm eating timbits.

We saw marching bands of all varieties:

And the usuals, like fire trucks:

Penny farthings:

.... and all that good cheer kind of stuff.  It was all too much for some members of our party.  I'm not sure who won the grinch prize... This guy?:

Or this one?:

By the time the big man in red appeared, we were so delirious and cold and slap-happy that we were actually in the seasonal spirit!

It was a bit weird though... There were a lot of strange, random costumed-folk in the parade.  Numerous wolves, for instance.  Not sure what that was all about.  And even the seasonally appropriate costumes started looking creepy to me after a while:

(He was sauntering in a menacing fashion... I swear!)

Words of wisdom to the parade-uneducated/childless/homebound folk of the world:  Parades are no fun for grownups, unless you're with someone who shares your diabolical sense of humour.  However, kids LOVE them with the full force of their little hearts.  And, thus, parades are required suffering for parents of young children.  I'm delighted to have been there with my two, candy-cane loving ruffians.

An early ho-ho-ho to all you readers.  Not nearly enough days holiday madness has fully set in.  Good luck.