Leah Tuckwiller
Contributing writer
Downtown Salem was aglow on Friday, Dec. 6, for the 67th annual Christmas parade and tree lighting. The cold did nothing to dissuade the residents of the Salem area from gathering on the lawn of the library and on sidewalks along the parade route to welcome in the Christmas season with joy, good spirit, and thousands upon thousands of lights.
The tree lighting was conducted by Salem Mayor Renée Turk, sponsored by Glo Fiber and broadcast live on WFRX TV, which will be replaying the parade on Christmas. Live music and the sound of jingling bells filled the air as the crowd awaited the lighting of the tree.
Mayor Turk welcomed residents and visitors of all ages to Christmas in Salem and led the crowd in a countdown to switch on the 13,000 lights adorning the massive tree, which can be seen at Library Square.
“This is when you look at something that lights not only your heart, but it lights your soul with joy for Christmas,” said Mayor Turk. “The best thing you can give away as you go over the holidays is a smile, […] and to be kind and gracious to all of those around you. As we prepare for Christmas, keep that light in your heart, and keep on smiling and being good to people. I think it’s awesome that you’re here, thank you Salem and visitors!”
Shortly after the tree lighting, the Christmas parade was kicked off, led by Salem police vehicles and featuring 107 entries put together and presented by more than 2,000 participants. Local marching bands, businesses, dance academies, auto clubs, Shriners and more filled out the entry list, with participants marching, riding floats and waving through the streets of Salem for an hour and a half. The parade was presented and organized by the Kiwanis Club of Salem and sponsored by Hardee’s.
As colorful holiday floats, dance exhibitions and brightly lit drums paraded down Main Street, spectators waited eagerly for the appearance of Santa and Mrs. Claus, who featured at the end of the lineup atop a fire engine manned by Salem Fire-EMS. Despite the chill in the air, the streets of Salem were full of light, laughter and joy for the holiday season.
Still to come in Salem as the city rings in the Christmas season is the Holiday Market at Salem Civic Center, a two-day craft and vendor show on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14 and 15. Admission to the market is free, and shoppers are encouraged to make contributions to the Salem/Roanoke County Food Pantry, which will be accepting nonperishable food items such as boxed pasta, peanut butter, canned vegetables and spaghetti sauce. The holiday market will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15.
For more details on upcoming holiday events in the city and at the Salem Civic Center, visit www.salemva.gov and www.salemciviccenter.com, or find the City of Salem on Facebook and other social media.
Photo by Leah Tuckwiller