Nothing gets people in the Christmas spirit like an old-fashion, "Kick-off-the-Season" small-town, holiday parade. The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors just such an event each year.

This year's theme was "A Rock 'n Roll Christmas"-- which, of course, means that anyone attending the festivities could expect to see at least one Elvis


(but probably several)

Local small businesses are encouraged to set up booths with decorations and give-aways to spread holiday cheer to the townsfolk. With a theme like "Rock & Roll," we just couldn't resist participating in the festivities.

 
We went all out with the "rock" theme. We gave away cookies and candy. Specifically, "Rock" candy and Tootsie "Rolls".

 
We also gave away a door prize-- this snazzy little tree shown above, decorated with all things edible--Pop Rock ornaments, Chocolate Rock mulch around the base,...and Crystal Rock Candy on a stick as the tree topper.

Then we got all creative building a festive tree out of granite and limestone blocks with faucet-finish samples as the ornaments...

...and a Choo choo train made out of soapstone scraps. (The wheels are made from salvaged faucet hole cutouts!

Here are some of the highlights at the parade:

The local Veterans in uniform.

A heavy metal "rocker" handing out goodies to the children,

A horse-drawn wagon. (Old-fashioned transportation)

A Harley gang (New-fangled transportation)

Your token tractor trimmed for the season. (Notice the jute box & LP's)

 
Vinyl LP records were a popular decorative element, this year.

There's the Batesville High School marching band.

And look, on the side of that spiffy van, is an exquisitely wrapped parcel-- "why, it's a gorgeous, gift-wrapped, slab of soapstone. (How clever!)

And a "package" of Purple Dunas granite on the other side of the truck.

We'd like to take this opportunity to extend this message to the people of Batesville and beyond: "We hope you all have a Rockin' Holiday Season!"