Clay County celebrates Christmas with lighted parade and events

The Navy Seabees, stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base, took first place in the vehicles division.

The Henrietta Ban performs during Saturday’s Clay County Christmas parade.

Pioneer Reunion Rodeo Junior Queen Bailey Goodin and Rodeo Queen Taylor Watson ride in Saturday’s lighted Christmas parade. Watson won the animal division.

The Junior Delphian Club of Henrietta took first place in the pedestrian division of the parade.

Sledd race winners are Weblos I members Matthew Mills, Loke Short, Karsen Murphy, Trace Bullinger, Blake Craddock, Logan Taylor, Colton Skelton, Tyler Meadows and Colton Green (not pictured).

The Weblos II den, under the direction of B.J. Sweeten, compete in the Cub Scout sled race on Saturday.

The Weblos I won the sled race event with a time of 1 minute, 37.11 seconds.

The Bears reach the finish line in Saturday’s Cub Scout sledraces, prior to the Clay County Christmas parade.

Rayford Pullen, Master of Ceremonies for Saturday’s Clay County Christmas, talks to Cub Scout Colton Skelton prior to the Weblos I run in the scout sled races.

Santa and Mrs. Claus posed for photos, heard gift requests andpassed out candy canes following Saturday’s Clay County Christmas parade Saturday.

The courthouse square came alive with holiday spirit Saturday night for the annual Clay County Christmas festivities.

A large crowd turned out for the Henrietta and Clay County Chamber of Commerce event. last year’s parade was cancelled due to inclement weather.

The event, sponsored by the Henrietta and Clay County Chamber of Commerce, kicked off at 5 p.m. with Tigers, Wolves, Bears and Webelos from Cub Scout Pack 92 competing for the top prize in the “sled” races.

Weblos I won the event with a time of 1 minute, 37.11 seconds. Cub Scouts in the Weblo I den are Matthew Mills, Loke Short, Karsen Murphy, Trace Bullinger, Blake Craddock, Logan Taylor, Colton Skelton, Tyler Meadows and Colton Green.

The Bears took second with a time of 1.40.93, followed by the Weblos II in third with a time of 1.41.06. The Wolf Den placed fourth with a time of 2.02.00, followed by the Tigers with a time of 2.26.00.

Following the sled races, Clay County Judge Kenneth Liggett counted down the lighting of the courthouse and community Christmas tree. The lighted parade began at 6 p.m.

The Junior Dephian Club of Henrietta, dressed as lighted Christmas trees, won the pedestrian division. The animal division was won by Taylor Watson, the 2014 Clay Coounty Pioneer Reunion Rodeo Queen. In the vehicle division, Navy Seabees stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base took first place. All winners received a prize of $75.

Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived in a convertible Mercedes Benz coupe, and welcomed children for photos in the Santa hut on the southeast corner of the square.