The town of Hayden held their 7th Annual Christmas parade December 6,2022.
Christmas music, decorated floats, and the local marching band filled the streets.
But residents tell ABC 33/40 its the members of their community they were most excited to see.
“You know it always just brings our community together in the town of Hayden and we just love the event and have a blast,” said Sarah Herron, "With the pandemic and everything that has been going on, being able to get people together and being able to do all of that now. It’s good.”
“You know, it always just brings our community together in the town of Hayden and we just love the event and have a blast,” said Kim Galloway.
U.S. Airforce members Master Sergeant Timothy Gallagher and enlisted accessions recruiter Parker Harrington attend the Hayden Christmas parade every year.
They say the Christmas parade marks the true beginning of the holiday season.
"Its the time to, you know, step away for a little bit. You get to enjoy a little bit of down time but also you get to be around friends and family," said Harrington.
Master Sergeant Gallagher says he feels the same sentiment.
"At these times being able to spend it with the family, especially being here locally and not having to be deployed or anywhere, that’s one of the best things we get to encounter during the Christmas time here.”
The Christmas parade wasn't just focused on the fun.
The West Blount Fire Department held a food drive to address food insecurity’s in the area.
Instead of an entry fee, canned goods were required from each parade participant.
"Before now we really haven’t done anything to give back to the community so we thought it would be a great time to kind of pull the community together to do a food drive,” said Clay Jones, assistant fire chief West Blount Fire Department, "In our area there’s definitely not as many resources as many larger municipalities so sometimes it’s up to the fire department to make sure those resources make it to the people who need them.”