Joyce Marie Taylor
Suwannee Democrat
Jasper —
At least 2,000 people, off and on all day, turned out for Jasper's Sweets N the Streets Festival on Saturday, Dec. 8, according to Chamber of Commerce President Susan Ramsey.
Jasper City Park was filled with numerous vendors selling their wares, including the local 4-H Club who were selling handmade trinkets they made themselves.
Food vendors were offering a variety of scrumptious meals, including the Hamilton County High School baseball team. Coach Bobby Eason said they were doing a fundraiser and selling meals in order to raise money to buy new equipment for the team. Eason is anxious for the season to start and he said practice begins Jan. 14.
Mrs. Claus. a.k.a. Carolyn Bass, was at the festival and was kind enough to stop and chat for a bit and also to have her photo taken with chamber member Denise Jackson.
The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Explorers had a successful toy run, according to Sergeant Emily Lumpkin, and when they ended at the park it was time for some yummy food.
As the afternoon turned into evening, even more folks turned out and lined the streets for the annual Christmas Parade, which was led by a procession of fire and law enforcement vehicles, the color guard and AJROTC, and the grand marshall. After the procession of floats and an assortment of other entries cruised up 15th Street, it was on out to Hatley Street and on up to the city park. That's when all the kids went wild with joy as they got to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas.
First place float winner was the Hamilton County Transportation School Bus and there was a tie for second place between Divonia Baptist and JTDW Churches. Students from North Hamilton Elementary made posters and decorated them for the winning floats and they were placed on each before the parade started.
There are more photos online and photos are available for purchase. Go to suwanneedemocrat.com (or nflaonline.com) and click the photo gallery link on the left navigation bar.
