This week I want to share a blog about the experiences we had with our hometown Christmas parade just yesterday in downtown Huntsville, Alabama. Since 2004, my husband and I own and operate a regional talent agency, Windham Entertainment, Inc. This year our entertainment business participated in the Christmas parade for the very first time.
WE LOVE A PARADE!
The 35th annual WAAY Christmas parade took place in downtown Huntsville this past Saturday. The last time that I had personally participated was about 15 years ago. I was performing as the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Huntsville Ballet Company’s The Nutcracker, and rode with their entry. It was not the coldest parade day that I can recall, but I was freezing. But then again, I was sitting high on a throne, exposed to the wind, wearing only a tutu, tights…and maybe a velvet cloak.
After 34 years, the WAAY parade team has this event down to a science as far as logistics, coordination, promotion and community involvement. The one thing that they cannot control is the weather. Fortunately, for both participants and spectators alike, we were all blessed with a beautiful Saturday with a temperature in the low 60s. The theme this year was “First Christmas”. For us-Windham Entertainment, Inc. – it was the first parade we had participated in since we officially started our business over seven years ago. November and December are two of the busiest months of the year for us. However, we made a concerted effort to be a part of the parade this year, and planned well in advance. As a result, our entry – # 22 out of 137 entries– was made up of 40 talented costumed performers, 3 drivers, 2 convertibles, 1 truck…and “a partridge in a pear tree!” In addition, we coordinated with our business ally, Enchanted Masquerade, and were also led by the Star 99 van. All went off without a hitch…well, except for those brief moments of panic when the two convertibles’ tops would not open, and the truck had to have a jump start only minutes before we joined the procession. A grand time was had by all; and Windham Entertainment has 100+ photos to prove it. Go “like” us on Facebook; and join in the festivities. Merry Christmas!
Marianne Cook Windham
President, Windham Entertainment, Inc.
