Earl Utesch Memorial Lighted Children's Christmas Parade 2011

Santa settles down for a long winter's nap loudly snoring his way through the 15th annual Earl Utesch Memorial Lighted Children's Christmas parade in Le Mars. Santa did wake up and wave to children calling out his name when they saw the new entry by parade organizers Stan Culley, Dick Masuen and Ken Plueger Saturday. (Kent Jones)
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Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus are the central figures in this church parade float in the Earl Utesch Memorial Children's Lighted Christmas Parade in Le Mars. Several floats in the 15th annual parade Saturday featured the Biblical family. (Kent Jones)
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Bryan Heeren, of Le Mars, (left) and Trinity Northway, of Craig, are part of this smallest-sized entry in the Earl Utesch Memorial Children's Lighted Christmas parade. The miniature vehicles with riders are towed along the Central Avenue parade route Saturday in Le Mars. (Kent Jones)
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A snow-covered Snoopy is at the cockpit ready to defeat the Red Baron in this Earl Utesch Memorial Lighted Children's Christmas parade entry. Falling snow collected on the animated figures and people on floats Saturday in Le Mars. (Kent Jones)
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Girl scouts and boy scouts, church groups, and families ride on lighted wagons during the 15th annual Earl Utesch Memorial Lighted Children's Christmas parade. The parade time temperature was 30 degrees with wind whipping around the last of a 4.5-inch snowfall Saturday in Le Mars. (Kent Jones)
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A replica of the horse-drawn wagon F.H. Wells used to deliver milk in 1913 is lit for the 15th annual Earl Utesch Memorial Lighted Children's Christmas parade in Le Mars. The parade entry Saturday included a banner noting the 100th anniversary of the founding of Wells' Enterprises will be celebrated in 2013. (Kent Jones)
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These toy soldiers march with the music on one of the animated, lighted parade floats created by Earl Utesch Memorial Children's Lighted Christmas parade organizers Dick Masuen, Ken Plueger and Stan Culley. (Kent Jones)
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Organizers of the 15th annual Earl Utesch Memorial Lighted Children's Christmas parade were a little surprised by the number of hearty people who turned out with 60 floats and to watch the entries parade on Central Avenue Saturday. (Joanne Glamm)
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Children got treats from Santa's elves and other helpers who walked along the Central Avenue parade route Saturday. (Joanne Glamm)
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