Saline County Christmas Parades

Parade: a public march or procession honoring a particular occasion. Parades are held for a large variety of reasons, but whatever the cause, they are always a means of celebration. In some places a parade may become an important part of a holiday tradition. In other places, a parade may mark a special event. Other parades may also be used so everyone can see some special person. They have been around for many years dating back ten thousand years ago in Spain and are derived from the military and politics. They offer a large platform for political authorities and military personnel to connect with the community.

One of the largest parades in the United States is the Macy’s Day parade that is held every year on Thanksgiving Day. The tradition began in 1924 and was started by a few Macy’s Store employees. The goal was to show off some toys and items that the company had to offer for the holidays. The parade was the first to use the event as advertisement for businesses and today companies pay thousands of dollars to have their brand displayed on rolling floats and large balloons. The annual event has over three million people that attend in person and over four million that begin their Thanksgiving mornings by viewing the parade on television.

Saline County has its own celebrations every year during the holidays as well. The Benton and Bryant Christmas parades have been a part of the county for a long time and will continue their traditions again this year.

The Benton Christmas parade has been around since approximately the 1930s and has a rich history throughout the area. The Saline County Heritage and Historical Society have no actual record of when the parade actually began but some residents recall seeing old newspaper articles about the parade in the 1930s. Back in the early 1900s, the Benton Christmas parade was a much anticipated event where one local claims people would even jaywalk to get a better position to watch as the floats went by, a law that was heavily enforced back then.

“It was especially exciting during election years because there would be cameras that flashed voting results on the side of buildings so you would not miss any part of the parade,” Janet Ausburn of the Downtown Benton Association, said.

The parade is supported by all members of the community and has been sponsored by the Downtown Benton Association for the past several years. “The Christmas parade heralds in the holidays. Santa is presented to the community at the end of the parade and escorted to the Courthouse square gazebo,” Mrs. Ausburn said.

A local celebrity, Ned Perme from Channel Seven News, will be present at the parade broadcasting the weather live from the courthouse square. Mrs. Claus will also make an appearance and will be serving hot chocolate and cookies to those in attendance.

“The parade helps to promote downtown Benton businesses and brings family and friends together for this special time of year,” Ausburn said. Marching bands from local schools, drill teams and cheerleaders from Benton, Bryant, Bauxite and Harmony Grove have participated in the parade for the past several years. “It is a time that all of Saline County comes together to celebrate the season,” Ausburn concluded.

On the other side of the county, the Bryant Christmas Parade, sponsored by Edwards Food Giant, has been around since 2008 and has been an annual event ever since then. The parade is organized and run by the Bryant Chamber of Commerce Christmas committee. Businesses, schools, school bands, city officials, car and motorcycle clubs, and dance and cheer teams participate in the event by marching, riding, or building a float. Santa Clause, of course, concludes the parade. This year, the line up for the parade will begin at Bryant Middle School and go up Sullivan Street. It will then turn right onto Reynolds Road, turn right onto North West Fourth Street, turn right onto Wise Street, left on Boswell Road and end on School Drive back at Bryant Middle School.

“We do not have a town square and this seems to be the best route due to that fact,” Carla Harris, member of the Bryant Chamber of Commerce, said. The Bryant Chamber of Commerce is also responsible for the Nativity scene that is located at the Highway 5 and Reynolds Road intersection.

The Benton Christmas parade will be on Monday, December 2nd at 6:00 PM in downtown Benton around the square and the Bryant Christmas parade will be held on Tuesday, December 3rd at 6:30 PM. Registration for both parades costs $10 per float or organization.