Santa Claus, parades kick off Christmas throughout county

  • St. Bridget’s Catholic Church of Scammon drives down Main Street in the city’s Christmas parade earlier this month. The parish’s float, which celebrates their 150th year as a church, recently won first place in Columbus’ Christmas parade. Photo by Jacob Spencer.
    St. Bridget’s Catholic Church of Scammon drives down Main Street in the city’s Christmas parade earlier this month. The parish’s float, which celebrates their 150th year as a church, recently won first place in Columbus’ Christmas parade. Photo by Jacob Spencer.
  • The Ozark Klassie Lassies are pulled down SE 70th Street in Riverton as part of the city’s Christmas parade earlier this month. Members dressed in festive holiday sweaters and hats all sit on a float with presents, reindeer and a Christmas tree. Photo by Jacob Spencer.
    The Ozark Klassie Lassies are pulled down SE 70th Street in Riverton as part of the city’s Christmas parade earlier this month. Members dressed in festive holiday sweaters and hats all sit on a float with presents, reindeer and a Christmas tree. Photo by Jacob Spencer.
  • Santa Claus rides atop one of Galena Fire Department’s fire engines as part of Riverton’s Christmas parade earlier this month. The magical, cherrycheeked man made several appearances in Cherokee County parades this year. Photo by Jacob Spencer.
    Santa Claus rides atop one of Galena Fire Department’s fire engines as part of Riverton’s Christmas parade earlier this month. The magical, cherrycheeked man made several appearances in Cherokee County parades this year. Photo by Jacob Spencer.
  • The Baxter Springs Lion Pride Band marches down Military Avenue in the city’s Christmas parade earlier this month. Band Instructor Louis Morgan directs the students as they play “Winter Wonderland” for the crowd. Photo by Jacob Spencer.
    The Baxter Springs Lion Pride Band marches down Military Avenue in the city’s Christmas parade earlier this month. Band Instructor Louis Morgan directs the students as they play “Winter Wonderland” for the crowd. Photo by Jacob Spencer.
  • The Riverton Junior Rams march at attention with a bold banner in part of the city’s Christmas parade earlier this month. Students towards the front of the line wear Santa hats to boast their Christmas pride for the excited crowds. Photo by Jacob Spencer.
    The Riverton Junior Rams march at attention with a bold banner in part of the city’s Christmas parade earlier this month. Students towards the front of the line wear Santa hats to boast their Christmas pride for the excited crowds. Photo by Jacob Spencer.
  • Santa Claus sits atop one of Scammon Fire Department’s fire engines as part of the city’s Christmas parade earlier this month. The magical, cherrycheeked man made several appearances in Cherokee County parades this year. Photo by Jacob Spencer.
    Santa Claus sits atop one of Scammon Fire Department’s fire engines as part of the city’s Christmas parade earlier this month. The magical, cherrycheeked man made several appearances in Cherokee County parades this year. Photo by Jacob Spencer.
  • Riverton High School Band Instructor Lindsey Chambers walks ahead of her students in the city’s Christmas parade earlier this month. The school’s older students represented the district proudly with their sharp uniforms. Photo by Jacob Spencer.
    Riverton High School Band Instructor Lindsey Chambers walks ahead of her students in the city’s Christmas parade earlier this month. The school’s older students represented the district proudly with their sharp uniforms. Photo by Jacob Spencer.
    Ringing in the Christmas season for one and all, multiple Cherokee County cities celebrated the upcoming holidays with festive parades over the weekend. Riverton, Baxter Springs, Galena and Scammon all had citizens lining their streets to celebrate with a variety of flashy floats on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Kicking things off at noon on Saturday, Riverton was first to show thei...

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