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Locals lined LaFayette’s square on Saturday night to watch the annual Christmas parade. Over 40 floats made their way from LaFayette High School, down LaFayette St where spectators stood, and back. 

The activities for the day started much earlier at 10 a.m. with a new tradition, the Cookie Crawl. Started by LaFayette Main Street as a way to display local businesses, shops and restaurants on the square signed up to hand out free cookies to residents. Participants got a punch card with each of the businesses handing out their homemade cookies. 

Those that got their entire card punched were entered into a raffle to win $100. The inaugural winner was young Ashlynn Richardson. According to DeAnna Hand, the Director of LaFayette Main Street, the event was a huge success.

“A lot of the businesses said that they had their best day ever, that so many people came into their shops and their businesses that wouldn’t have had a reason to,” said Hand. 

The rest of the day was filled with the spectacle of Hometown Christmas on the Square. Food trucks and vendors, like Rollin’ Rackz Barbque and Essie’s Treats set up shop around the Chambers County courthouse. 

While there was supposed to be a tree lighting before the start of the parade, there was no tree or lighting ceremony on Saturday. Main Street did announce the winner of the window decorating contest, which went to Blue Button Quilts and Embroidery.

The real crowd came at 6 p.m. when the parade started. Marching bands from LaFayette and Loachapoka High School performed, along with cheerleaders from Chambers Academy. Some of the candidates for local office had campaign floats. Probate Judge Paul Story, his opponent Troy Davis were present. The only candidate in the Chambers County School Board Superintendent race present was Dr. Sharon Weldon.