By Anita Crone

For the Times

There were bells, whistles and lots of candy Sunday as Murrells Inlet welcomed its Santa Claus, riding on a fire truck.

The annual Christmas parade included bands, music, reindeer and, of

course, Shriners of all ranks and sizes, riding miniature Corvettes,

hanging out in jail cells and riding on floats that traversed Business

17 from Booty’s to the Brookwood Inn at Pendergrass Avenue.

Parade viewers came from near – walking distance in the Inlet – and far –

Conway and out of state, lured by the promise fulfilled by the

small-town celebration. Some people even took the opportunity to

tailgate with crackers, cheese and adult beverages.

Some people – and dogs – dressed up in red and green while others dressed down in jeans and T-shirts, and attire in between.

“I got dressed up so I could see Santa,” said Emma Martin, sparkly in her red dress.

While she admitted that she did not have her Christmas list, she did

have it in her head, and she was more than willing to share, as she

played with her brother Mason.

Young and the young at heart scrambled for the treats thrown from the

floats and cars, and it was not at all unusual to see older children

sharing with the tearful younger ones who weren’t quite fast enough to

grab the treats, that also included info on the organizations supporting

the marchers, that also included the St. James and Waccamaw high school

bands.

Parade marchers rode all manner of vehicles. In addition to the

miniature cars, people rode through on tractors, antique autos and even,

from Huntington Beach State Park a bicycle.