COMFORT — Christmas in Comfort Lighted Night Parade is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. The parade is the centerpiece of Christmas in Comfort, and this year marks the final go-round for parade founder Garry Schwab and his wife, Janis.
The day-long event on Nov. 30 includes shopping, entertainment, food and family holiday fun.
Christmas is about giving from the heart and the Schwabs are prime examples. For Garry, 80, the parade has been his way of saying “thank you” to the community.
The parade began in November 1989 with six parade entries traveling two blocks in the historic district of Comfort. Weinachten Lichter (Christmas Lights Parade) now features more than 100 floats from throughout Texas and has great small-town flavor.
Garry is a retired plumber, and Janis, a Comfort native, owns the Kountry Kurl beauty salon in Comfort. The Schwabs recruit parade entries, build floats and organize volunteers.
Garry estimates that he travels to 25 parades each year recruiting entries, from early March through the first weekend in November. Though the chamber helps, the Schwabs have spent thousands of dollars of their own money on the parade through the years.
The parade starts with the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus (none other than Garry and Janis Schwab) and ends with a wonderful fireworks display.
Comment
Comments