The Paynes crane float at the Bainbridge Christmas Parade.(Photo by Owen Freidenstein)

BAINBRIDGE – The ninth annual Bainbridge Christmas parade was blessed with a mild and snow-less night last Saturday evening, and the crowds responded with enthusiasm to wonderful parade down Main Street.  

An estimated 1000+ crowd of all ages turned out to enjoy what has become a new annual tradition of floats, big trucks, fire trucks, cranes, cars, horses, golf carts and yes, even some walkers! 

Folks lined both sides of North and South Main Street all way from Freiot to the Village Green park to see some incredible floats and even more incredible large equipment (would you believe 60 ton Paynes cranes?)

decorated with lights, characters, and even a few people, too!  The parade line was lead by the newest Bainbridge Rescue Pumper unit number 124, followed by the Mayor and Assemblyman Joe Angelino, and then more fire department units from Bainbridge, Afton and Coventry.  

In addition to the big fire department trucks, the biggest pieces of equipment came from Austin Farms, BlueOx Energy and Paynes Cranes.  Someone at BlueOx put a lot of elbow grease into polishing the tanker truck.  It was fabulous! 

Floats of all kinds included the Baptist Church, Gifford Family Dental, Henry's Drive-In, the Bainbridge Lion's Club, Payne's Cranes, and the sponsor of the event, the Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce, which carried families of business of the year Heller's Farm CSA, business of distinction Sal's Pizza and citizen of the year Dolores Nabinger.   Rotary exchange students marched with flags of their countries. 

Santa and Mrs. Clause closed the parade in a decorated trailer towed by the Bainbridge Fire Department utility pickup truck. There were many more marchers than this writer could identify, including some beautiful draft horses, golf carts and racing cars, so please forgive if we haven't mentioned you but know that everyone really enjoyed the parade.  The Chamber thanks all the participants and appreciates their creativity!

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