The whispers actually started about a month before...  "Will they be there?"  "Dare we hope?"  "What will we do if they don't come?" ... as people speculated on whether or not "The Queens of Grizzly Flats" would be putting in their usual appearance at the parade.  It stands to reason because any time there's something good that happens, people want it to happen again and are afraid it won't.  Sometimes, moments in life are just so stunningly, deliciously sweet that you're melancholy with the beauty of it because you're afraid that it won't happen again.  Never fear, Grizzly Flats.  The Queens are the parade and we will always be there.

Kevin provided our security as Rebecca helped us ascend into our coach.  We were wearing our Joan Collins hats with our Queenly tiaras on board, as if anyone could be at all confused as to who was a Queen and who wasn't.  I mean, you just are or you aren't.

Yes, Santa, we want it ALLL!

Our 2007 Grand Marshalls (Walt and Maxine Tyler) were proudly driven by Ronda Watkins.

This was another grand Marshall who was in the parade.  :)

Mark & Susie

Lynn Shetley was our ringmaster for the event.

Those kids had a BLAST!  We still don't know how many of them little suckers we crammed in there.  Since we are a spin off of the "Sweet Potato Queens," I guess these were the "Tater Tots."

4-H had Bob's truck all kids of decorated.

Santa on Engine 38 was bringing up the rear.

You HAVE to know that NOBODY was going to welcome our favorite jolly benefactor before the Queens got to him, so we got him down off the truck and made him real welcome, cooing and fawning over him so he'd bring us good stuff.

Having our photo op and making sure that NO ONE had a piece of Santa before we did, we finally released him to the masses.

After that, it was time for others to have Santa photos:

"For the last time, NO, I won't bring you Pamela Anderson.  Now leave Santa alone before I put a restraining order in your stocking!"

Mike Lawless led a wonderful Christmas carol sing-a-long.

Ray took a musical moment to tell Chase he'd better watch out, better not cry...

Volunteers manned ornament making stations.

Lance Romance...Official Consort to The Queens

With free cookies, hot cider, coffee and cocoa, I can tell you, a great time was had by all!