By Jim Bryant The Dispatch Christmas comes once a year GÇô and Eatonville makes sure not to miss it. The town again held its annual Christmas Parade last Saturday, along with other events to mark the season. At the town's Visitor Center, Santa Claus was greeting children and families in advance of the parade. Four-year-old Tucker Simpson knew exactly what he wanted for Christmas and brought with him a Ninjago Legos book to show Santa, so that there wouldn't be any mistake Another child, 2-year-old Van Clay, wanted to show Santa a train car. But when the bearded fellow in red reached down and picked him up, the boy turned with his arms stretched out, reaching for his parents. However, Santa soon calmed the boy's fears and they became friends after he gave the small child a Husky stuffed animal. The two children were part of the many who visited Santa to receive toys and candy canes while their parents dropped off bags of winter clothes, toys and other donations to be given to the less fortunate. Outside the center, viewers gathered around the town square for the ceremonial lighting of the town Christmas tree, and listened to Christmas songs by the community band and choir while waiting for the parade to start. As darkness fell, crowds started to line the Christmas parade route along both sides of downtown. Pretty soon, sirens could be heard off in the distance, and children up and down the Mashell Avenue started to fidget as they waited for the even's highlight GÇô another visit from Santa, who arrived sitting atop am Eatonville Fire and Rescue fire engine that was bedecked in lights. Santa tossed candy to youngsters as the truck rolled down the street. To the pleasures of smalltown living, residents and others lined the route to cheer and enjoy the company of their neighbors while watching the lighted utility trucks, marchers, singers, fire department vehicles and off-road vehicles decked out in holiday lights. The procession started near Eatonville High School and headed south on Mashell toward the town square. The festivities were organized by various community organizations and volunteers and drew a large number of participants, whether they were in the parade, watched it or joined in the caroling. The interactions with Santa began at 4 p.m., followed by the tree-lighting at 4:30, the parade at 5 o'clock and more Santa interactions until 7.
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