Lake of the Ozarks will be full of Christmas spirit as family and friends gather
on the historic Bagnell Dam Strip to watch the 33rd annual Christmas Parade.
A group of business owners wanted to do something for the children of the Lake
at Christmas and thus the parade was founded.
The parade helps usher in the holidays at the Lake and is a wonderful family
fun event hosted by the Bagnell Dam Strip Association. A military color guard
starts things off followed by a host of dignitaries, bands, floats, dancers, classic
cars, horses, dogs of all breeds, the School of the Osage Marching Band,
motorcycle groups, politicians, queens, fire departments and boats all wishing
to spread some good cheer to the bystanders. Of course, living at the Lake we
see lots of fancy boats many of the newest designs all decorated for the
holidays. Most of the floats throw out candy to the children lining the route. The
kids look forward to this and are armed with baskets and bags to hold all the
treats. Since the parade theme this year is Musically Magical Christmas, we
hope to hear a lot of music coming from the entries.
Santa will be available to greet children and have pictures taken with your own
phones or cameras after the parade at Two Bit Town – across from Dogpatch on
Bagnell Dam Boulevard. He will hand out goody bags to all the children. Hot
chocolate, cookies, coffee, a roaring bonfire and s’mores will be offered while
Christmas music fills the air. Before the parade strolling carolers will entertain
us.
Our parade has never been cancelled although some winters were awfully cold
and snowy most have been clear and bright. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that
the weather will be good. Mike Page notes that we have always had great
cooperation from the city police and road departments. He remembers one year
when we had a twelve inch snowfall a day or two before – making the parade
look impossible. The road crew got the backhoes and dump trucks out and
removed or piled up enough snow to make the route possible.
Lots of stories abound through the years about parade events. We remember
the year Santa went home to sleep after the parade and didn’t wake up for his
time to visit with the children – we had to hustle to find a new Santa. Another
year a wheel broke on a horse & buggy which put a big hole in the parade as the
buggy was pulled out of the way and the parade continued. The two very
handsome cowboys and their beautiful horses were for years a hit with the older
ladies. Lee Mace used to send a trailer in with his musicians. Don Russell, the
famous fiddler, would be present and he’d play to the delight of onlookers.
Lots and lots of locals have participated in the parade through the years and
have good memories of it – many more have been observers who have had a fun
time. All the good people chosen to be Grand Marshal’s have deeply

contributed to our Lake community as have those who participated in any way.
This year’s Grand Marshal is Rayleen Platter Wilson, former music teacher at
School of the Osage and now principal of Christ the King Lutheran School.
To participate in the parade go to Lakechristmasparade.com. Let’s keep this
parade going. Thank you all.