Jack Frost, Santa, and more float down rainy Broad Street

Chloe Hawkins, Spectrum Editor

People put their rain boots on and picked up their umbrellas to watch the annual Christmas parade this past Saturday. 

The parade had “more attendees than expected” with a constant downpour of rain, according to parade administrator Sharalyn Garrard. This was one of the rainiest parades she’s seen in recent years, Garrard said. 

“There were many people out there in the rain,” Garrard said. “They could’ve been watching it on TV in the warmth of their home but instead they came out.” 

Garrard has been a part of the parade since 1991. She started out as a volunteer, and moved up throughout the years, she said. As administrator, Garrard chooses the floats involved in the parade, she said. 

“I try my best to get all the ‘little guys’ in with the sponsors,” Garrard said. “I’m looking for high entertainment value. We want to make the people say ‘I’m so glad I came.’”

There were a total of 93 floats in the parade, according to the parade website.  A “good example” of an entertaining float, Garrard said, was the Woody Foundation. The foundation built their own float after being given one from the parade organizers for the first few years, according to Garrard. 

The Woody Foundation’s float included a huge red sled, multiple presents at the end of the platform and a DJ booth to engage the audience, according to its founder Christopher Woody. 

“At one point we had people following us down the street,” Woody said. 

The Woody Foundation is a local non-profit organization that helps families in need in Richmond and surrounding areas, Woody said. He started the non-profit in 2008 after knowing “many” families that needed help. 

“We have helped over 10,000 families since we started,” Woody said. “But it started slow with church events and donation drives.”

Many musical talents were involved in the parade such as the Virginia Military Institute band, the Huguenot High School band and the VCU Peppas. 

VCU Peppas member Alyssa Guilfoy said this is her first time being a part of the Christmas parade. Guilfoy said she wasn’t worried about performing even though this is her first time in the parade.

“Honestly I wasn’t very nervous,” Guilfoy said. “Overall the whole group knows when to be serious and when to have fun — this was a fun time to spend with friends.” 

Guilfoy said it was nice to see all the little kids at the parade, and how much they enjoyed the event. 

“It was so fun to see all the kids’ faces light up as we waved and went by,” Guilfoy said. “I think that makes such an impact on their lives like ‘oh my gosh that person waved to me.’”

Richmond local and VCU alum Lindsay Kennedy was among many people who brought their children to the parade. Kennedy attends the Christmas parade every year with her two little sons, no matter the weather, she said.

“When you have two active boys, you have to get out the house rain or shine,” Kennedy said. “They look forward to it every year.” 

Kennedy attended VCU from 2003 to 2008 and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in marketing. She is still living in Richmond years later because it’s the “perfect big city,” Kennedy said.

“I like to support Richmond and the events they have,” Kennedy said. “I think it’s very important to have these community gatherings and events.”