BOLINGBROKE, Ga. — The Bolingbroke Christmas parade is on Saturday. Vicki Smith says it began over 30 years ago with humble beginnings.
“We saw the kids pulling the wagons on Rivoli over there and we said what are you doing and they said we're having a parade and we said let's grow this parade and let our town be known," she recalled.
Smith is an Associate Broker at Properties Plus Realty by day and an elf in her spare time. She ran this event for 20 years.
And she says they still let the little guys dress up their animals and walk the route.
"We love that people ride their horses and dress them up and they're jingling and jangling down the road,” she said.
And speaking of a little jingle jangle, the guy with a snow-white beard and a twinkle in his eye loves to ride in at the end on a bass boat.
“Actually, I think he really likes our parade. I think this is one of the highlights of his year, so it's easy for him to come here," she said with a grin.
The event will play out on Rivoli Road where it's not as busy as Highway 41.
Businesses — especially ones that deck the halls — could see a Christmas bonus since typically 1,500 people show up in this town of about 500.
Halei Watson owns Watson’s Mercantile.
“We love it and people come and the kids love it. It really gets everyone in the Christmas spirit,” she said.
Watson loves the holiday season and her store has tones of green and red.
“Everyone loves to come to Bolingbroke and see something new and we're really that small town and you get that small-town feel,” she explained.
Bernie Blanche of Blanche Farms Meats will roll out a ribeye in a flash and he expects to see customers come in for snacks.
“This year it's a little earlier and we expect the people to be flowing and we'll have some chili going and we've got draft beers and things of that nature,” he said.
If Santa wants to trade hot chocolate for something a little stronger like draft beer, Blanche is ready.
“Of course. Santa gets a discount,” he chuckled.
It's a little something for everyone. Santa-approved, kid-friendly and a good time for elves no matter what age you are.
At the end of the parade, Santa will stick around and have children on his lap to listen to their wishes.
That will happen at the Bolingbroke clubhouse next to the fire station.
And you'll want to get there early to get a good parking space.
Businesses along Highway 41 will let you park in their lots, but they fill up fast.