There’s nothing like a good ol’ Southern Christmas Parade to warm your heart and get you in a holiday mood.
Mind you, it’s no Macy’s Parade – no soaring balloons or rockstar celebrities. But we’ve got Beagles and Babies, Bagpipers and Belly dancers. What more could you want?
When we lived in Charleston a few years ago, our goal was to be in the heart of things. Finding an apartment just a few blocks from bustling King Street meant we could walk to everything and not miss out on anything.
The day of the parade dawned chilly – downright cold for Charleston. Finally a chance to wear those winter mittens for the first time.
The surprise lead-off to the parade was the ever-popular Beagle Club …
… and their crowd-pleasing mascot Curtis, baying all the way.
Even the dogs were trying to keep their noses warm!
The bagpipers added their distinctive drone to the baying of the beagles …
… while trying not to be totally distracted by the belly dancers gyrating in front of them.
We managed to station ourselves in front of everyone’s favorite hot dog vendor. All the kids in the neighborhood just knew him as Gee The Hot Dog Man. So when a float full of Kindergarteners passed by, one little boy recognized Gee, grinned broadly (with both front teeth missing), and shouted,
“Merry Chrithmath Mither Hot Dog Man!”
Peath,
Terri
GALLIVANCE 
Terri how fantastic is that? Beagles and belly dancers headlining the Christmas parade. Love it!
We’ve seen all kinds of wacky Christmas parades, Sue. When we lived in small-town Virginia, the headliners of the Yuletide Parade were pot-bellied pigs and the town’s (new) garbage trucks with Santa aboard. Yikes! The Charleston parade was a blast! ~Terri
What an awesome parade! Were the belly dancers gyrating or shaking from the cold ~ either way they’re always one of my favorite things to watch!
Merry Christmas!
~Andrea<3
Great question Andrea! There were definitely some goosebumps to be seen, but the women were really into their craft, so they kept the crowd entertained. Merry Christmas to you too! 🙂 ~Terri
nice pics
Thank you! They were fun to take. 🙂 ~Terri
What fun!
It truly was, Laura! You just never know what you’re going to see at a Southern Christmas Parade. What are your parades like up there?~Terri
To be honest, Terri, I’ve never been to any of the parades up here, other than watching the local school kids in their annual parade. I haven’t been to any kind of parade in more than 15 years. My friend is in Charleston right now visiting friends, I made use to give her a link to your blog before she left. Her take on Charleston can be found here http://marthaschaefer.com/2013/12/16/christmas-and-love-bloom-in-south-carolina/
Thanks Laura. What a great post. It looks like Martha was just a few blocks from our old neighborhood. Thanks for the link. ~Terri
Peath, Hot Dogth, and Belly Dancerth… Charleston certainly knows how to put the interesting in Christmas! Thanks for sharing this. It’s good to know a tourist destination can still be down home friendly and share their joy with everyone.
We just had the Scottish Walk up here in Alexandria, VA. Alas, no beagles or belly dancers… but fun all the same.
Thith wath delightful, Terri (and James!)
Many thanks, Jonelle. The little boy was too hilarious. And of course everyone in the crowd close to the Hot Dog Man took up the chant. I just love seeing a grown man blush! 🙂 Very thweet!
I just googled the Scottish Walk and it looks wonderful. I was in marching band in high school – we were the scotties, complete with kilts, sporrans and bagpipes – so I love the whole tradition. ~Terri
Aw, how cool would that be? My father was a Stuart, who married a Stewart, who was the daughter of a McDonald. I should have gone there!
Interesting to see the Irish who cross over for the Walk, and the Scots who become Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. A friendly pint smooths all apparently. (smile).
Merry Christmas to you both! An unusual line-up but looked like good fun! 🙂
Merry Christmas to you too, Linda. The parade was a great time. How do you celebrate there in Latvia? ~Terri
This year, I’m going home! 🙂
What a fun and eclectic mix!! 🙂
Thanks Madhu. Christmas parades in the Southern USA are always quite amusing – you never know what’s going to turn up! ~Terri
Belated season’s greetings to you both! Is Curtis sporting a stocking-themed muzzle? 🙂
And belated greetings to you too, Tricia! Curtis was quite the ham and couldn’t decide if he wanted to bay or bury his nose in his Christmas stocking. Mostly he bayed! 🙂 ~Terri