Chaffee cancels parade; Jackson plans to proceed

The Jackson Christmas Parade will proceed as scheduled today unless some nasty weather unexpectedly moves in, organizers say, but Wednesday's snowfall forced the cancellation of the parade scheduled today in Chaffee, Mo.

The Jackson parade, sponsored by the Jackson Jaycees, is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m.

"Unless we have inclement weather, the parade is on," said Jaycees president Randy Sander. "A little bit of snow on the grass and sidewalk isn't going to stop it."

Jackson street crews removed an estimated 250 tons of snow from the parade route along South High Street and Main Street Wednesday and Thursday nights. Public works director Rodney Bollinger said the crews worked until midnight both nights and then started in again at 4:30 the next morning.

"Those guys are earning their paychecks," he said. "They are the road warriors."

Scott Lipke, the newly elected state representative for the 157th District, will be the parade marshal. Sixty-three units have signed up for this year's parade, compared to 55 last year. Bands scheduled to perform are from Jackson, Meadow Heights and Oak Ridge high schools.

The annual Christmas parade sponsored by the Chaffee Chamber of Commerce was canceled for the first time in the 30 years the chamber has hosted the event, said H.B. Rice, chamber member and parade organizer.

"I think that's a pretty good record," he said.

Though the city streets were cleared of snow, all the marching bands from area schools had to cancel because schools weren't in session, he said.

There were 25 floats and four bands scheduled to march in the parade.

There is no alternate date selected, so the event will not be rescheduled.

sblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182