Three Texarkana VIPs had the best seats in the house Monday night at the Texarkana Christmas Parade.
Cindy Marsh of Hospice of Texarkana, Richard Seymour of the Bowie and Miller Literacy Council and Dr. Jason Smith, incoming president of Texarkana College, rode through the streets of downtown Texarkana on the backs of camels named Richard, Jadid and Cinco.
The camels, always a popular attraction in the parade, were provided by Texas Camel Corps of Valley Mills, Texas.
Texarkana Mayors Bob Bruggeman and Ruth Penney-Bell rode just ahead of the camels in a yellow convertible.
The theme of this year's parade was "My Favorite Christmas Memory." Floats, marching bands, classic cars and others followed the downtown parade route that ends at the Downtown Post Office.
Before the parade, a group of excited children were peering down the street waiting to see the first float.
"It's starting, it's starting," some of the yelled as the first police sirens could be heard.
Ina McDowell, executive director of Main Street Texarkana, said this year's parade could be the largest one yet with 114 floats. There are typically between 100 and 110 entries.
The Grinch could be seen on one float. Several other floats featured Nativity Scenes. The Shriner's sped around in their tiny cars. And, of course, Santa Claus made an appearance at the end.
Trophies were given for best commercial float, best noncommercial float and best marching band.
First-place winner in commercial float was Miller/Bowie Supply; second place was Goff's Pleasant Playland; and third place was Joni's Gymnastics.
First-place winner in noncommercial float was The Texas Pin-Ups; second place was Calvary Holiness Church; and third place was First Baptist Church Celebrate.
First-place marching band was Pleasant Grove High School Band; second place was Arkansas High School Band; and third Place was 95th Composite Squadron Texas Civil Air Patrol.
The camels were available for photos before the parade at Front Street Festival Plaza, and number of families stopped by to snap photos of the animals before the parade started.
"I like them. It's really something different to see camels." said Rhonda Beasby, who visited the camels with some children in her family.
One thing about the camels that surprised her was their size.
"I thought they would be fatter," she said.
The camels are about 8-feet tall from hoof to head, and they also have pretty docile personalities.
"They are pretty chill," said one of their handlers.
The camels hung out eating hay before the parade and accepting pats on the head.
Texas Camel Corps was established to educate the public about the historic use of camels in America in the 19th century.
The company educates through camel treks, historic reenactments and programs at schools, libraries, museums, and historical sites. During the holidays, the camels make the rounds of Christmas parades and other events.
In 1856 the U.S. government shipped 75 camels from North Africa to Texas. The animals hauled supplies to forts on the arid frontier, but the program was discontinued a few years later.