Although the holiday season is still months away, the city of Foley is already preparing for its annual Christmas Parade with some exciting upgrades. The Foley City Council has approved the purchase of nine new reindeer to pull Santa’s sleigh, replacing the iconic figures that have been part of the parade for the past 45 years.
The annual parade, organized by the Foley Kiwanis Club, is a major highlight of the local holiday season and rolls through downtown Foley each December. Santa’s float traditionally features a sleigh pulled by nine reindeer: the classic eight from “The Night Before Christmas” plus Rudolph.
Following a detailed review by the Foley Revitalization and Beautification Advisory Board, city officials determined that the current 45-year-old reindeer had reached the end of their service and needed replacement. Brenda Shambo, the city’s liaison to the advisory board, emphasized the cultural significance of the parade during a recent council meeting.
“The Foley Christmas Parade is the city’s only Christmas parade and is a cherished tradition that brings families, businesses, schools and community organizations together,” Shambo said. “The Kiwanis reindeer have become a familiar and beloved part of that tradition. New reindeer would allow us to continue creating these special memories for children and families for many years to come”.
While the new reindeer are set to debut this winter, the original figures will not be forgotten. The city and the Kiwanis Club are currently developing plans to preserve and display the historic reindeer in a local museum or other public venue to honor their nearly half-century contribution to Foley’s holiday celebrations.
The parade serves as the centerpiece of a festive, action-packed holiday weekend in Foley. Other events planned for the weekend include Christmas in the Park, the lighting of the Foley Christmas Tree, and the city’s “Let It Snow” event. Additionally, the city will host its annual Christmas tree decoration contest, with winners announced on Friday evening just before the Saturday parade.
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