Downtown Brownwood was filled with spectators Thursday night as the annual Spirit of Christmas lighted parade got underway.  The parade featured marching bands, dancing drill teams, lighted floats with great Christmas music, local dignitaries from all across Brown County and even Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The parade route began at Carnegie & Adams and traveled down Center Avenue to North Broadway, down Fisk, to Baker and ended at the Brownwood Coliseum.

The parade officially kicked off the Christmas season in Brownwood and the start of the Christmas Under the Stars Festival.

The 6th Annual Christmas Under the Stars Festival is all set to take place this Friday and Saturday from 4 PM – 8 PM each night and offer visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, ice skating, kids crafts and activities, food, Big Wheel races, live entertainment and more.  With the exception of the ice rink, pony rides and Big Wheel Races, all activities and booths will be indoors at the Depot Civic and Cultural Center and the Lehnis Railroad Museum.

Pictured above are Santa and Mrs. Claus riding on board the new Brownwood Fire Department ladder truck in Thursday night’s parade.

CLICK HERE to see more photos from the parade in the Brownwood News Facebook photo gallery.