Cass County cities hold unique Christmas parades

The appearance of Tevis Pappas's 1971, two-seat experimental biplane is a first for Atlanta's Christmas parade.
The appearance of Tevis Pappas's 1971, two-seat experimental biplane is a first for Atlanta's Christmas parade.

If citizens of Hughes Springs like to party and Lindenites like to perform, then Atlantans like to parade, judging by its holiday celebrations and parades.

Hughes Springs will always be festive with wine glasses flowing. Linden's known for its performing arts and stage. Atlanta's got a powerful high school band leading its parades and creative individuals who spice it up.

One of the innovative contributor to Saturday's Christmas parade was Tevis Pappas, who decorated and brought along his two-seater airplane to represent the Hall-Miller Airport. The airplane was so big and wide, it couldn't go down all the town lanes and had to stick to Texas Department of Transportation's main street.

Parades give a town a chance to express itself. In any given year it may be four-wheelers or four-hoovers. This year, the twinkling lights were all around, some hanging from legs that got twirled though the air as young athletes did backflips.

Atlantans have gotten to where they come out with chairs and blankets and settle in for their parade. This year's more than 50 entrants took almost 30 minutes to pass.

Lots of candy got thrown and lots of "Merry Christmases" got said.

Santa Claus was funny in Atlanta's parade. He rode atop the very first entrant, a fire truck, and didn't get to say many "Ho, ho, ho's"

Another memorable feature was that Charlie Brown Christmas got featured on so many floats. This was because Atlanta's holiday parade had the theme of "At the Movies."

The large, green grinch rode again in the little Nash Rambler. And a single individual in white carrying a large, full-size wooden cross on his shoulder walked resolutely and quietly, illuminated by single light from behind.

Several churches and helping organizations were present with floats they had spent a good amount of time creating.

Linden's parade in the daytime was short and compact but enthusiastic as it went around the square, which was partially filled with vendors and music-performance stages.

In all, the parades were simply fun and a time to break away from the present. Here are four photos with more to come in holiday issues of Cass County Life.

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