Christmas tree and gathering pictured in the original Ingram parade recap.
The streets of Ingram sparkled with holiday cheer during the Christmas celebration described in this January 2026 issue as the town gathered for its beloved annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony. With crisp skies and perfect weather, families lined the expanded parade route, eager to celebrate the season in true community spirit.
A Parade of Wonder
This year’s parade was nothing short of spectacular, featuring 27 dazzling floats that glowed with creativity and festive flair.
The enlarged route carried the procession through Ingram to Riverside Drive at Citywest, where the grand finale awaited. Floats came not only from local businesses and organizations but also from neighboring communities—including Comfort and the Hunt Fire Department—adding to the sense of unity and celebration. Children squealed with delight as Santa and Mrs. Claus made their much-anticipated arrival from the North Pole, waving and wishing everyone a merry Christmas.
Music, Magic, and the Tree Lighting
As the floats gathered at Citywest, the evening crescendoed with the Symphony filling the air with timeless Christmas melodies. Anticipation built as the crowd joined in a countdown from five… and with a burst of light, Ingram’s Christmas tree illuminated the night sky. Gasps, cheers, and applause echoed as the tree became a radiant beacon of holiday joy—its glow reflecting the warmth of community togetherness.
And of course, no celebration would be complete without hot chocolate and cookies, generously provided alongside the tree lighting by Shop Local First, whose sponsorship made the evening even sweeter. Served more than 250 spectators.
Parade Winners
The parade competition crowned its champions with well-deserved recognition: – 1st Place: Lowe’s Home Improvement – 2nd Place: 2JC Construction – 3rd Place: Kountry Kurl Salon – Honorable Mention: TJ Moore Lumber Bill, General Manager at Lowe’s, captured the spirit of the evening perfectly: “It was the best parade ever—because of the Symphony music, the tree lighting ceremony, and best of all, hot chocolate and cookies.”
Gratitude and Community Spirit
Events like these shine brightest thanks to dedicated hands and generous hearts.
Special appreciation goes to: – Joe Ochoa, for delivering the Christmas tree and helping assemble it – Twanda Brown, always ready to lend a hand helped line out all our floats. – Marcus Willis from Sysco Foods, and his family for serving the hot chocolate and cookies – Evelyn Miller, who helped secure the parade judges and location – Judges: Tricia and Mike Hanley, Joan and Mike Fischer, Diana Johns – Citywest Event Center, for their generosity in hosting the gathering on their property – Shop Local First, proud sponsor of the advertising and coordination of the event – Symphony of the Hills, for filling the evening with Christmas music And of course, heartfelt thanks to all participants, volunteers, and attendees who made this year’s celebration unforgettable.
As the lights twinkled and music lingered in the air, Ingram once again proved that when a community comes together, magic happens. The Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony wasn’t just an event—it was a memory etched into the heart of the town. Thank you to everyone who played a part in making this the best parade yet.
From the January 2026 issue.