The streets were filled with Santa hats and lots of Christmas cheer as the “Army of Colonels” found their way to their entrance of the Wilkes-Barre Christmas Parade.

Christmas memorabilia was flowing everywhere and the sound of joyful holiday music was playing for everyone to hear, it is safe to say anyone watching would be full of Christmas excitement.

On Nov. 19, the Wilkes-Barre Christmas Parade celebrations began in the Student Union Building at1:30 p.m. with preparations, free T-shirts, hot chocolate and cookies. At around 2 p.m. the participants from Wilkes lined up at the corner of South Main and South streets by University Towers. The parade started at 3:15 with many city residents lining the streets watch the parade.

“It took around fourteen hours to complete the fun, colorful mural float,” sophomore pre-pharmacy major Julie Miller says.

After the finishing touches were put on, the ginger bread house and candy mountain mural, accompanied by makeshift candy and lollipops, were picturesque. Alongside the float constructed by Wilkes University Student Government and the sophomore class stood the Army of Colonel volunteers proud to be supporting their school and the city. Wearing vast amounts of blue and gold they found themselves marching through the city with balloons and signs.

For several years the University has hosted a Homecoming parade.  However, after flood recovery efforts caused the cancelation of this year’s parade, Wilkes was looking for a way to get themselves back out into the community.

Director of Marketing Kimberly Bower-Spence said that, “in being involved in the parade we are showing we are part of the community.”

Being able to go out into the community and show support for the city of Wilkes-Barre and the University at the same time is something Bower-Spence says Wilkes looks for students to do often.  She says with the Colonel leading the army, there was no way for people to misinterpret the message they were trying to send.
“There is a great spirit about Wilkes,” Bower-Spence says.

It is safe to say after the Christmas Parade people see the spirit that not only the community holds, but that of the many different groups inside of the community as well.

The streets were filled with Santa hats and lots of Christmas cheer as the “Army of Colonels” found its way to the entrance of the Wilkes-Barre Christmas Parade.
Christmas memorabilia flowing everywhere and the sounds of joyful holiday music playing for everyone to hear, it is safe to say anyone watching would be full of Christmas excitement.
On Nov.  19, the Wilkes-Barre Christmas Parade celebrations began in the Student Union Building at:30 p.m. with preparations, free T-shirts, hot chocolate and cookies.
At around 2 p.m. the participants from Wilkes lined up at the corner of South St. and South Main St. by University Towers. The parade started 3:15 p.m. with many city residents lining the streets to watch the parade.
“It took around fourteen hours to complete the fun, colorful mural float,” said sophomore pre-pharmacy major, Julie Miller.
After the finishing touches were put on, the gingerbread house and candy mountain mural, accompanied by makeshift candy and lollipops, were picturesque. Alongside the float constructed by Wilkes University Student Government and the sophomore class stood the Army of Colonel volunteers proud to be supporting their school and the city.
Wearing vast amounts of blue and gold they found themselves marching through the city with balloons and signs.
For several years the University has hosted a Homecoming parade.  However, after flood recovery efforts caused the cancelation of this year’s parade, Wilkes was looking for a way to get itself back out into the community.
Director of Marketing Kimberly Bower-Spence said that, “in being involved in the parade we are showing we are part of the community.”
For the university, the parade was a way of showing pride in being part of the community itself and also to be a good neighbor.
“The parade is a fun tradition for students to participate in,” Bower-Spence said.
Being able to go out into the community and show support for the city of Wilkes-Barre and the university at the same time is something Bower-Spence said Wilkes looks for students to do often.  She said, with the Colonel leading the army, there was no way for people to misinterpret the message they were trying to send.
“There is a great spirit about Wilkes,” Bower-Spence said.
It is safe to say that after the Christmas Parade people see the spirit that not only the community holds, but that the many different groups inside of the community hold as well.