Lawrence’s Old Fashioned Christmas Parade celebrates 29th anniversary





 

Dec. 9, 2022- Horses clothed in period garb pranced down Mass Street to ring in the Christmas season at the 29th annual Lawrence Old Fashioned Christmas Parade on Dec. 3.

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Julia DeYounge, the marketing director for the parade, said the parade was founded in 1993 after Rob Phillips, former majority owner of the Eldridge Hotel, participated in a wagon train event across the country.

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“He came up with the idea after seeing the crowds that loved seeing everybody go through their town,” DeYounge said. 

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According to DeYounge, the parade started with six entries. This year at the parade’s 29th anniversary, there were around 12 mounted riding groups, 54 carriages, wagons and other horse-pulled vehicles. 

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“One of the things that’s very unique about the parade is that it’s only horse-drawn or horse entries,” DeYounge said. “They have to have either authentic, historic or authentic reproductions of vehicles.”

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Most of the entries decorate and dress in period accurate clothing or Christmas attire, said DeYounge. This dress code evokes a feeling of being transported to the past, which contributes to the Lawrence Christmas Parade’s national reputation as a unique Christmas tradition. 

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For Lawrence, the parade is an homage to its rich history.

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“I think it goes back to Lawrence having a strong respect and interest in its history,” DeYounge said. 

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In the spirit of Christmas, the parade is popular amongst families and locals for kicking off the holiday season. 

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“It’s become a family-oriented event and a chance for people to gather with friends and family,” DeYounge said. 

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Lawrence resident Tisha Cullen said the parades showcase the magic of the Christmas season.

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“I love the gentleness of the parade itself,” Cullen said. “It has a quiet ease to it that I appreciate.”

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People from out of town were also enjoyed their first time at the parade. Nicole Cogua, a freshman at KU from Omaha, Nebraska, appreciated the small-town feel of the event. 

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“I liked how I saw a lot of kids and their parents because this is more of a college town,” Cogua said. “t’s more like everyone’s coming together to watch.” 

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Some first-timers even look forward to making the parade a holiday tradition

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Carissa Levingston, a KU freshman from Frisco, Texas, she said she would attend next year’s parade. 

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“The whole small town came out and watched and it was really cool,” Levingston said.

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Although the Lawrence Christmas Parade has come and gone, it leaves behind an infectious spirit of camaraderie and community pride.