Holiday Magic Parade Brings Out Festive Hats

Parade watchers lined downtown Royal Oak streets with some pretty amazing hats and gloves. Even Mrs. Claus wore her best bonnet.

By Teri Williams
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November 19, 2011

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Mark McBride, of McBride Studios on Main, holds his daughter Lila McBride, 2. Lila was traveling incognito with her hat and sunglasses waiting for the Holiday Magic Parade in downtown Royal Oak to begin Saturday morning.

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Six-month-old Levi D’Angelo was bundled up nice and warm in his “Baby Santa” suit and little chick hat. He couldn’t keep his eyes off the festivities happening Saturday in the streets at the Holiday Magic Parade in downtown Royal Oak on Washington Avenue.

Credit Teri Williams

Hunter Achrem, 3, of Madison Heights made sure his ears were nice and warm with his bright red superhero hat as he sat with his dad, Philip, during the Holiday Magic Parade in downtown Royal Oak on Saturday.

Credit Teri Williams

Alyssa Duff, 12, and Caitlyn Duff, 10, of Warren were at the Holiday Magic Parade in Royal Oak for the first time. Both said they are wishing for clothes from Santa this year. They made sure to wear their funky hats to keep their ears warm Saturday.

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Wearing his red monster hat Saturday is Spence Barrer, 10, a fifth grader at Adams Elementary School. He has been at every parade in Royal Oak. “One time I even got to be in it on the spinning bicycle. That was a blast,” Barrer said.

Credit Teri Williams

The Holiday Magic Parade in downtown Royal Oak on Saturday was a “splash” for Cullen Knapp, 2, (left) and Nolan Knapp, 4, of Madison Heights. "I'm excited to see the horses with the big bags on their butts,” said Nolan, laughing all the way!

Credit Teri Williams

Not only did Andrew Vetting wear his funky bandana hat, he decided to join the Holiday Magic Parade on Saturday in Royal Oak as a “marching ghoul” with the folks at Noir Leather. “And if I don’t find them, I’ll march by myself and send out some holiday cheer,” Vetting said.

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The 10^th Annual Holiday Magic Parade kicked off the holiday season in downtown Royal Oak today. The grand finale included Mayor Jim Ellison awarding Santa the hearts of all the folks in the city.

“We’ve already given you the keys to the city, Santa. We want you to know you have our hearts!” the mayor said.

Santa and Mrs. Claus weren’t the only ones with festive hats. Thousands of parade watchers lined the streets with hot cocoa, blankets and some pretty crazy hats and gloves to keep them warm.

Mrs. Claus was adorned with a fabulous hat and all the trimmings. She had a special piece of advice for parade-goers:

“Buy local! That’s right folks," she said. "When you are buying that special someone a gift, look at the local businesses in your own backyard. Royal Oak has an abundance of amazing shops and artists. Support your community. Santa can only do so much, he needs your help!"

Related Topics: Holiday Guide 2011, Holiday Magic Parade, Holidays Santa 2011, Parade, and holidays 2011

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