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Hill Country Holiday Spirit

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The streets of Old Town Leander were filled with families and holiday spirit on Saturday, as the Peanuts gang, Santa Claus pulled behind his seven reindeer-named classic cars, and Elvis Presley rode through the streets to kick off the holiday season.

By all accounts, the city's annual parade and tree lighting was a success, with people coming out to watch the parade, sing Christmas carols and visit with both a traditional Santa Claus and the Leander Law Enforcement Association's Blue Santa, who was collecting toys and donations for under-privileged children.

“I thought the kids would love to come out and see Santa,” said Ken Sheguilt, a resident of Block House Creek, who was at the parade with his 4-year-old son Luke and 1-year-old daughter Rachel. “This is their first parade of the year.”

Some residents were surprised by how well the parade turned out and how many people showed up. Renita Pizzitola, a Leander resident, said she came out to support the MOMS Club, which had a float in the parade. This was her first time attending the celebration.

“I didn't realize it was such a big deal,” she said.

The parade was organized by the Leander Community Club and included a variety of floats, including an intricate gingerbread house, which was built by the owners of Baby Face Day Spa and won the best float honors, and a monster truck named “The Grinch,” loaded up with stolen presents and even a Christmas tree. The Grinch, designed by John Cannan and Jeremy Kennard, shored up second place for the All Day/All Night Automotive group.

“Now that's a celebrity truck,” said Cannan, referring to The Grinch, which drew a crowd while on display after the parade. Cannan added that the team plans to continue designing special trucks for events like the parade. “It's only going to get better and better,” he said.

The first place group, led by Greg Lara and Talitha Lawrence, said they have been working on the gingerbread house, which included music, gum drops and lollipops, for several months, and were going to get a jump start on next year's parade.

“We'll think of our next year's [float] over dinner tonight,” said Lawrence.

E-mail amy@hillcountrynews.com

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