Thousands gathered in Seward the evening of Nov. 30 to take in the Holiday Parade of Lights under the 2024 theme of Frosty Family Fun.
Grand Marshall for the 2024 annual event was Dr. Jack Swanson of Seward, a longtime community leader/ civic volunteer and former professor at Concordia University, to recognize him for his years of service to the community, church and schools.
To recognize the outstanding work for our City of Seward’s summer’s road construction, the community also honored Brian Schoen of the Nebraska Department of Transportation and gave him the title of Festival Foreman. Schoen was the lead for the Highway 15 project through Seward this year. This project started in April and fully reopened the week of Thanksgiving-ahead of schedule. The festival sub-theme was Snow More Construction.
Parade awards for the Annual Holiday Lighted Christmas Parade included:
e Best of Show, the top parade award for best overall entry—the Historic M29C Weasel from World War II, fully restored and driven by Dave Geis and sponsored by the Nebraska National Guard Museum.
e Mayor’s Award, best entry following the theme—Rooted in Movement Chiropractic Care in Seward and Crete.
e Chairman’s Award/People’s Choice Award, crowd favorite—Cross Creek Animal Health Center in Staplehurst, Dr. Cori Stava driver of the beautiful team of horses and wagon.
e Starry Bright Award, unit with the most lights in the parade—Fullfield Ag’s world’s largest replica of the world’s smallest gingerbread house.
e Best Christmas Walk Award, best walking /marching entry—William Henry School of the Arts, Seward.
e Sounds of Christmas Award, best musical entry—Seward High School Marching Bluejay Band/ Flags, directed by Amanda Kenny
e Snowman Award, best children or youth entry—Seward Girl Scout Troop 20622 and the Seward Cub Scout Pack 256’s Candy Land float
e Jesus is the Reason for the Season, best entry with a Christ is Born theme—St Vincent de Paul Catholic School and Church featuring the representatives from the entire school in the parade.
e The Christmas Horse Award, the best horse mounted entry—The Middle Creek Mavericks 4-H Club and their horses with lights on them.
e Real Christmas Spirit Award, best business entry—The Alps Bark Park with the mountains and live dogs
e The It’s all about the Family Award—The Anderson Construction Company of Seward float showcasing the Frosty Family Fun.
It should be noted that the Santa Float, sponsored by Liberty First of Seward and the Polar Bear Float sponsored by the La Carreta Mexican Restaurant of Seward, were not eligible to be judged, as the floats are owned by the Seward Chamber and are signature floats for the parade every year.
The Christmas Festival is sponsored by the Seward County Chamber and Development Partnership organized by the Seward County Chamber of Commerce Christmas Festival Committee, with a host of community volunteers, businesses and civic groups assisting with the arrangements and projects throughout the day and season.
Clark Kolterman with the Seward County Visitor’s Bureau coordinated the student judges and the awards.
Parade co-chairs are Sheri Fritz and Megan Kahler of Seward. Serving as the parade banner hosts were Seward High students. Kolterman and Gerald Meyer, Nebraska National Guard Museum historian, served as the parade emcees in the downtown announcer’s review stand with Mary Meyer serving as the parade spotter. A special note of thanks is also extended to Chad and Sheri Fritz who really make the SCCDP floats all sparkle and keep the engines working in the big floats.
The Seward Chamber’s Christmas Lighted Parade was first held 13 years ago in 2011, when the Chamber purchased three large floats from the former Star City Holiday parade and a host of smaller pushcart floats as well.
Collin Hain and the staff at the SCCDP gave countless hours to this opening Christmas event for Seward and Southeast Nebraska. The parade and annual Christmas festival is completely self-supporting and funded with sponsorships and donations. Donations to assist with the expenses are to be directed to the Seward County Chamber and Development Partnership Christmas Festival, 616 Bradford Ave., Seward, NE 68434 or donations can be directed to the SCCDP website as well.
