Christmas Parades Start This Weekend
December 5, 2019
Bob Conrad, left, will serve as Grand Marshall of the Crane Christmas parade this year. He is pictured with his wife of 51 years, Carolyn. The Crane Christmas Parade starts at 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 7.
Isaac Estes-Jones
Stone County residents in both the north and south portions of the county will be able to enjoy two long-standing Christmas parades on Saturday, December 7. Kimberling City will see the Kimberling City Lions Club Christmas Parade in the morning, and Crane will host the city’s Christmas parade after sunset.
Kimberling City
The day of festivities kicks off in Kimberling City with the Lions Club parade. “Our club hosts the parade for the community every year and we’re working hard to make this the best parade ever,” said Lions Club President Dan Jacobs.
This year, the parade will end at the Port of Kimberling marina to help avoid and alleviate traffic concerns on Missouri 13. “We’re staying off Highway 13 to avoid traffic congestion and we have lots of fun planned after the parade,” said Jacobs. The parade starts by the Kimberling Area Library, the same as always. Then, it will go along Kimberling Blvd. and Marina Way to the Port of Kimberling.
Line up for the parade begins at 9 a.m. and step off is at 10 a.m.
The theme of the parade is “Christmas Stories.” Groups will express this theme in various manners.
There will be awards for several categories, including floats, music and specialty vehicles. New award categories include best use of theme, best overall and a people’s choice award. Voting for people’s choice will be by donation, so the public is encouraged to bring spare change.
After the parade, the public is invited to join the Lions at the Port of Kimberling for after-parade festivities, including a visit from Santa with cookies and hot cocoa. There will also be an awards ceremony after the conclusion of the parade.
The Kimberling City Christmas Parade is the Lions Club of Kimberling City’s biggest fundraiser each year. All donations stay in the area and go back out to help those in need. These donations help fund food banks, provide eye exams and glasses for the needy, fund scholarships and a number of other ways the Lions Club gives back. The parade and festivities are free, but donations are welcomed to help the Lions Club fulfill their mission.
The best parking and viewing of the parade will be at the Port of Kimberling.
Grand Marshall will be Layne Morrill.
Crane
The annual Crane Christmas parade will kick off at 6 p.m. in Crane. The parade will go down Main Street as it has in years past.
The City of Crane put up their Christmas tree on Monday, December 2. The tree stands in the intersection of Main Street and Meadow Avenue. The parade will conclude with a visit with Santa in front of the lighted tree.
The tree was donated by David and Sandy Stiffler this year. Greg Evans Cooper Brannan delivered the tree to the city. It was installed and decorated by Bob Cutbirth, Loy Galloway, Andrew Deckard and Alex Harris, of Crane’s Public Works crew.
The Grand Marshall for the Crane parade is Bob Conrad this year.
According to a press release from the city, “Bob Conrad was born in Hurley, where his dad worked for the railroad and has lived in this area his entire life, with the exception of the years that he attended SBU and SMS to obtain his degree. Bob taught physical education and science-related subjects during his thirty years at Crane Public Schools, occasionally teaching three generations of students.
“Bob coached high school baseball and basketball, as well. One of his proudest moments was when he was able to coach the first ever sports team from Crane to make it to State playoffs—the 1988 Crane baseball team. He also led the Crane baseball team to State playoffs in 1992 and 1993, where they earned second place each year. Following his retirement from teaching, Bob spent another nine years coaching Crane baseball.
“Bob’s goal as a teacher and a coach was to be fair and honest and to impart that to his students and players. His wife, Carolyn, stated that in addition to that he also demonstrated respect to them and to those he comes in contact with.
“Bob and his wife of 51 years, Carolyn, have two children, Amy and Kyle. Amy and husband, Scott, have blessed the Conrads with two grandchildren, Morgan and Allison; while Kyle and wife, Mary Ellen, have blessed the Conrads with two grandchildren, Chase and Katherine. In his spare time, Bob likes to hunt, fish and work in his yard. He and Carolyn also enjoy attending the many sports events that their grandchildren are involved in.
“Thank you and best wishes to the 2019 Crane Christmas parade Grand Marshall, Bob Conrad.”
Lineup for the Crane Christmas parade will be at the Ozark Mountain Regional Healthcenter again this year. The parade will kick off at 6 p.m. and Main Street will be closed shortly before that time. Those watching the parade are encouraged to park on side streets so that everyone may have the best viewing of the parade.
Planning for the parade this year was shared by the Crane Board of Aldermen with lots of help from Beth Murphy, Crane City Clerk, along with Linda Cutbirth, who was leading the planning before needing to step away.
Stone County residents in both the north and south portions of the county will be able to enjoy two long-standing Christmas parades on Saturday, December 7. Kimberling City will see the Kimberling City Lions Club Christmas Parade in the morning, and Crane will host the city’s Christmas parade after sunset.
Kimberling City
The day of festivities kicks off in Kimberling City with the Lions Club parade. “Our club hosts the parade for the community every year and we’re working hard to make this the best parade ever,” said Lions Club President Dan Jacobs.
This year, the parade will end at the Port of Kimberling marina to help avoid and alleviate traffic concerns on Missouri 13. “We’re staying off Highway 13 to avoid traffic congestion and we have lots of fun planned after the parade,” said Jacobs. The parade starts by the Kimberling Area Library, the same as always. Then, it will go along Kimberling Blvd. and Marina Way to the Port of Kimberling.
Line up for the parade begins at 9 a.m. and step off is at 10 a.m.
The theme of the parade is “Christmas Stories.” Groups will express this theme in various manners.
There will be awards for several categories, including floats, music and specialty vehicles. New award categories include best use of theme, best overall and a people’s choice award. Voting for people’s choice will be by donation, so the public is encouraged to bring spare change.
After the parade, the public is invited to join the Lions at the Port of Kimberling for after-parade festivities, including a visit from Santa with cookies and hot cocoa. There will also be an awards ceremony after the conclusion of the parade.
The Kimberling City Christmas Parade is the Lions Club of Kimberling City’s biggest fundraiser each year. All donations stay in the area and go back out to help those in need. These donations help fund food banks, provide eye exams and glasses for the needy, fund scholarships and a number of other ways the Lions Club gives back. The parade and festivities are free, but donations are welcomed to help the Lions Club fulfill their mission.
The best parking and viewing of the parade will be at the Port of Kimberling.
Grand Marshall will be Layne Morrill.
Crane
The annual Crane Christmas parade will kick off at 6 p.m. in Crane. The parade will go down Main Street as it has in years past.
The City of Crane put up their Christmas tree on Monday, December 2. The tree stands in the intersection of Main Street and Meadow Avenue. The parade will conclude with a visit with Santa in front of the lighted tree.
The tree was donated by David and Sandy Stiffler this year. Greg Evans Cooper Brannan delivered the tree to the city. It was installed and decorated by Bob Cutbirth, Loy Galloway, Andrew Deckard and Alex Harris, of Crane’s Public Works crew.
The Grand Marshall for the Crane parade is Bob Conrad this year.
According to a press release from the city, “Bob Conrad was born in Hurley, where his dad worked for the railroad and has lived in this area his entire life, with the exception of the years that he attended SBU and SMS to obtain his degree. Bob taught physical education and science-related subjects during his thirty years at Crane Public Schools, occasionally teaching three generations of students.
“Bob coached high school baseball and basketball, as well. One of his proudest moments was when he was able to coach the first ever sports team from Crane to make it to State playoffs—the 1988 Crane baseball team. He also led the Crane baseball team to State playoffs in 1992 and 1993, where they earned second place each year. Following his retirement from teaching, Bob spent another nine years coaching Crane baseball.
“Bob’s goal as a teacher and a coach was to be fair and honest and to impart that to his students and players. His wife, Carolyn, stated that in addition to that he also demonstrated respect to them and to those he comes in contact with.
“Bob and his wife of 51 years, Carolyn, have two children, Amy and Kyle. Amy and husband, Scott, have blessed the Conrads with two grandchildren, Morgan and Allison; while Kyle and wife, Mary Ellen, have blessed the Conrads with two grandchildren, Chase and Katherine. In his spare time, Bob likes to hunt, fish and work in his yard. He and Carolyn also enjoy attending the many sports events that their grandchildren are involved in.
“Thank you and best wishes to the 2019 Crane Christmas parade Grand Marshall, Bob Conrad.”
Lineup for the Crane Christmas parade will be at the Ozark Mountain Regional Healthcenter again this year. The parade will kick off at 6 p.m. and Main Street will be closed shortly before that time. Those watching the parade are encouraged to park on side streets so that everyone may have the best viewing of the parade.
Planning for the parade this year was shared by the Crane Board of Aldermen with lots of help from Beth Murphy, Crane City Clerk, along with Linda Cutbirth, who was leading the planning before needing to step away.