Traditionally there’s been just one firetruck participating in the Brownwood Lighted Christmas Parade. The Brownwood Fire Department truck is always the last in the parade line-up, featuring Santa Claus, to both delight children in the crowd as well as signal the end of the parade. This year, however, there will be another firetruck coasting through the streets downtown, courtesy of Matthew Williams, a local insurance agent.

Williams explained it’s a common marketing idea to utilize interesting vehicles to draw attention. “I was looking for a unique vehicle for our office, and I found a few I liked, nothing that I loved. But I found this firetruck on an online auction and the price was great,” said Williams. “I always wanted to buy a firetruck, I mean who hasn’t?”

Williams purchased the 1980 model truck from the city of Grand Saline through an online auction. “I was able to buy it for a reason my wife couldn’t say no to, for business reasons,” laughs Williams.

Attendees of the parade will be able to see Williams’ firetruck around the 16th position. Rest assured, there will be no Santa on his truck. Instead, Williams credits his wife for creating a “Staching Through the Snow,” theme for their entry with a nod to Christmas mustaches.

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The Lighted Christmas Parade will take place this evening, December 1st at 6:30 p.m. in Downtown Brownwood and is sponsored by the Texas Rock Crusher Railway. The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce and Brownwood Regional Medical Center will present the 8th Annual Christmas Under the Stars Festival Friday December 2nd and Saturday December 3rd at the Depot Plaza Complex and the Lehnis Railroad Museum.

To learn more about events and activities scheduled during the festival, visit brownwoodchristmas.com. Below are photos from last year’s parade: