Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1950-12-15
Sees
Santa And
The Parade

Apparently unmindful of the
weather's chill after the light
snow of Wednesday afternoon,
hundreds of men. women and
children thronged the downtown
streets of London in the evening
to witness the opening of Lon
don's big Christmas celebration
Featured event of the celebra-
tion was trifle late arrival of
Santa Claus over the city by air
plane and his sensational descent
to the edge Of the city BY para
chute.
The big crowd, awaiting Santa's
arrival, milled about the streets
and cheered Santa's arrival when
his small yellow plane swept tn
over the city and circled the
courthouse area.
After climbing to a satisfactory
altitude, Santa threw open the
door of his plane while his pilot
steadied the controls. Almost in
stantly his big white parachute
billowed open against the sky
and Santa was on his way down
and into London.
When about half way to the
ground he opened his reserve
parachute, apparently to check
his speed and help guide himself
into safe landing-area.
Despite the fact Chamber of
Commerce officials had previous
ly announced that Santa would
Immediately be brought to the
downtown section of the city after
landing, scores of youngsters
raced toward the outlying section
of the city.
Following Santa's arrival and
welcoming by Chamber of Com
merce officials, attention of the
celebration sponsors was focused
upon final preparations for the
big parade from Cowling Park
on North Main street, southwark
through the center of the city.
Included in the parade were the
London police and firemen, The
Highway Patrol cars, floats of
the various business concerns and
veterans organizations, the Lon
don High School queen and he.
court, and the various marchers.
Bands participating in the pa
rade and providing music for the
marchers included Plain City,
London High School, Midway,
Madison Rural, West Jefferson
and South Charleston.
Free Rides For
The Children
Special entertainment for
the children during Christ
mas Week has also been pro-
vided by the London Cham
ber of Commerce in place OF
the candy or fruit treat ordin-
arily given.
The Gooding Amusement
Co. of c o um bus was set
up big merry-qo-round near
the courthouse on Monday,
December 10. The nerry-go-
round will begin operation
Monday afternoon to give
all children under 12 free
rides throughout the entire
week, including Saturday De-
cember %, according to an
nouncement of the sponsors.
During the Christmas season.
the London stores will remain
open each evening until 900
o'clock as well as Wednesday
afternoon and evening.
Local streets throughout the
business district have been dec
GRATED for Chris and
colored lights which festoon High
and Main Streets complement the
Christmas finery Of the local store
windows
Even though the Christmas sea-
son is in full swing, the Yule-
tide mail so far has caused no
unusual rush at the London
poStoffice.
Postal officials have announced
that the mailing windows will
remain open Saturday afternoon
to help expedite the rush antici- y
pated for remainder of the time
until Christmas.
The American Railway Ex-l
press office will be openlu Sat-
urday afternoon. December is
and % for recoivinu and dolixSo.,