Massachusetts Street became a winter wonderland on Dec. 7, with the celebration of the 31st annual Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade. 

Kelly Rowe | @Kelly.Rowe

Thousands of guests flocked to Mass Street to enjoy this celebration. This parade featured horses from all over the area, with some coming from Kansas and Missouri. 

Parade President, Marty Kennedy, said that his role as parade president has been easy because of all of the volunteers, event sponsors and entries that come to enjoy the parade. 

“Having been the parade president for quite a few years, it is very easy and it just comes together very well because all of the people have volunteered for this work. They just love this horse parade,” Kennedy said. 

The parade began at 7th and Massachusetts Streets, and went all the way to 15th and Massachusetts. Patty Kennedy, parade secretary, said the parade begins with two horses named Rock and Chalk and it ends with Santa and an original Wells Fargo Stagecoach. 

“Santa is the last one and he’s followed by our vice president of the parade, Robin Dunn. She has an authentic Wells Fargo stagecoach and it’s filled with toys, all of Santa’s toys,” Patty said. 

This year’s parade was a success and it was a great way to begin the Christmas season in Lawrence.