A Small Town Christmas Parade

Our town's Christmas parade is about twelve minutes long. It has the high school marching band, three fire trucks, a tractor decorated with lights, the Girl Scouts riding on a hay wagon, and Santa on the back of a convertible borrowed from the car dealership.

Everyone comes. The whole of Main Street fills up with families in winter coats holding thermoses. Kids sit on their fathers' shoulders. The bakery sells hot cider out the front door. The firefighters throw candy canes and occasionally hit people in the face, which is considered good luck.

This year, the convertible broke down halfway, and Santa had to walk the rest of the route. He high-fived every single kid along the way. It was the best parade we've ever had.

Twelve minutes, every December. I wouldn't miss it.