Published: November 23, 2009 11:03 pm      

Soldiers honored as grand marshals

ASHLAND — The Winter Wonderland of Lights annual Christmas Parade will fill the streets of Ashland with Christmas cheer tonight.

Members of the Army National Guard’s 201st Engineer Battalion, which will be home for Christmas this year, are serving as grand marshals. The theme of this year’s entire festival — “I’ll be home for Christmas” — was chosen to honor the unit, which was deployed last year in Afghanistan.

Organizers say about 30 to 50 members of the 201st are expected to march in the parade along with the unit’s color guard. A Humvee and two trucks pulling trailers with 201st members and their families will also be in the parade.

“They weren’t home last year. They didn’t return until March, so this year they are home for Christmas,” said festival committee member Paula Mayo.

The 201st has 700 soldiers at six armories including Ashland, Olive Hill, Prestonsburg, Cynthiana, Hazard and Jackson. About 450 of the troops were deployed to Orgune, Afghanistan during 2008 and early 2009.

“We wanted to honor them and thank them for what they have done for us during this holiday season — they missed their Christmas with their families last year, this year they are with them — what better place than in the Christmas parade,” she said.

“We thank the men and women of the 201st for protecting us. We want to honor them and their families for their sacrifice and dedication.”

The Christmas parade will also feature 26 different floats from a variety of agencies and organizations along with fire engines and police vehicles from across the region. Nine local high school marching bands will also take part in the parade, according to Mayo.

She said the parade will be similar in length to years past.

“Our parade is usually two hours long. It starts at 7 p.m. and the last division passes at 9 p.m. How it works out like that I have no clue, but it always does,” said Mayo.

“Just come out and enjoy the parade. It’s another free activity offered by the Winter Wonderland of Lights,” she said. “Everybody come out and dress warm, come early so you can get a spot to see the parade.”

Winter Wonderland of Lights will run through Jan. 1. Displays are illuminated from dusk to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday nights and from dusk to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The Winter Wonderland Express, $3 per person, began running last weekend. It will run each Friday through Sunday through Dec. 20 beginning from on the 22nd Street side of Central Park.

Santa Claus will also be at the Central Park Log House beginning Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Photos will not be available until Friday. Santa will be at the house from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 4-6, 11-13, and 18-20.

CARRIE STAMBAUGH can be reached at cstambaugh@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2653.