Buddy the elf, Chewbacca and more join 33rd Richmond Christmas Parade

For its theme of  “Christmas at the Movies,” the 33rd annual Dominion Christmas Parade featured characters from “Star Wars,” “Angry Birds” and “The Lego Movie,” in addition to Christmas films “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Polar Express.”

The parade took place from 10:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Dec. 3, and stretched down Broad St. from the Science Museum of Virginia to 7th. St. in the downtown area.

In addition to the themed balloons, parade-viewer Elaine Steward said she had been looking forward to seeing the “Star Wars” costumes from the International Star Wars Costuming Organization. Steward said this was her first year at the Dominion Christmas Parade and she was pleased with the experience.

“I think this is awesome that Richmond puts out this big parade,” Steward said.  “Being military, you’re not really close to anything major like this. Usually you have to travel really far. This is really nice to be able to enjoy,” Steward said.

Several college bands attended, including the VMI Pipe Band, the Virginia Union University Marching Band, the Virginia State University Marching Band and the Hampton University Marching Band, “The Marching Force.” A number of high school bands also marched.

“I like the bands, I like to hear the music. Of course see all the floats of the churches with the religious themes,” said VCU alum Scott Royster.

VCU associate professor of graphic design Sandy Wheeler took part in the design of the Institute of Contemporary Art’s float, sponsored by the Markel Corporation.

“(We) sort of dressed up the ICA, the east and west faces in a winter wonderland,” Wheeler said.

Georgia Geen, Contributing Writer