Alvin M. Keeling 
The young mother pointed at the night sky, excitement evident in her voice.
“Did you see this?” she asked.
“Yeah, mom, it’s Santa Claus!” Replied the child.
Just in time for the Cadiz 2021 Christmas Parade, the Jolly Ole Elf may have taken an impromptu flyby during Saturday’s holiday festivities in downtown Cadiz.
Mother and son were among dozens who showed up for the parade and other activities, including Christmas tree lighting, street dancing performed by Cissy’s Senior Boot Kickers, and a reading from “Twas the Night Before Christmas, recited by Cadiz Mayor Todd King.
Disney’s Belle, Mickey and Minnie Mouse and more joined Santa at the Renaissance Stage to have their photos taken with the kids, and visitors to the Janice Mason Art Museum got to see a variety of trees decorated by members. from the community.
People could also walk through West Cadiz Park to see these Christmas displays.
“As far back as I can remember, we go out, eat chili and sit in front of the church and watch the parade,” Mary Jolly-Naghtin said of the annual tradition at the Christian Church in Cadiz.
Jolly-Naghtin’s daughters, Lee Ellen and Mary Scott Naghtin, stopped by to take their picture with Santa and his elves as the family toured downtown; First-grader Lee Ellen said Santa Claus was her favorite part of the night.
The youngest daughter Mary Scott sang “Jingle Bells” with Trigg Tots at the tree lights.
For Elizabeth Hiter, a student at Trigg County High School, the activities were a great opportunity to bring the community together.
Dressed as elves, Hiter and Riley Miller, who played Belle, greeted passers-by, handed out candy canes, and posed for photos with young people strolling downtown.
They volunteered through their school’s Interact club, both eager to see the kids.
“I missed it last year, and it was great to go out and see all the kids and stuff,” said Hiter, who is the club’s webmaster.
Near the Trigg County Justice Center, people gathered before the parade to watch dances performed by the Trigg County Senior Citizens Center dance group.
Member Brenda Hawkins said the line dancers were invited to perform at the parade a few years ago and really enjoyed it.
On Saturday, 18 dancers in their 60s and older entertained people as they marched through the city center awaiting the parade.
Tonya Kaplan came from Hopkinsville with her grandchildren. Looking for something to do with the young people, she said the local community was a great place to visit.
“It’s not too cold,” Kaplan said, as he sat with the children outside the justice center.
She noted that they wanted to see Santa Claus and Kaplan was interested in the parade.
“Since they had it here, I thought I was going to come and see this one,” she said.
Sponsored by the Trigg County Chamber of Commerce and Pennyrile Electric, the annual parade returned to downtown this year after a one-year hiatus due to COVID-19.
The parade featured a variety of entries ranging from floats carrying the Grinch and Charlie Brown to the Trigg Lyon fire truck which was adorned with an illuminated American flag.
It drew a large crowd who made it to the event despite the cold, lining the sidewalks and the street to get a glimpse of the various entrances.
Beth Mann and Kim Fortner were the grand marshals of the 2021 Christmas Parade.
Contact Tonya S. Grace at 270-887-3240 or tgrace@kentuckynewera.com.
