Parade of Lights followed by Santa visit

Though the Bank of Malta's Santa Open House wasn't slated to begin until 6 p.m. last Monday night in Malta, parents and children were lined up down the block and visiting Saint Nick ahead of schedule and before the Parade of Lights could make its way through downtown.

Kim Hinkson, a six-year-old who moved to Malta from Texas a year ago, was one of the many children in line to visit Santa and while she waited, she pondered what she was going to ask for this Christmas.

"I am excited because I want to sit on his soft lap," she said. "Maybe I will ask for a new toy dinosaur."

Scarlett Marino, age five, had already made her way through the line, had visited Santa, and was chewing a reindeer shaped cookie as she talked to the PCN.

"I told him I want some kind of toy that you can color, and then wash, and then recolor it," Marino said, adding that she got what she asked for last year, but forgot exactly what that had been.

Moving back outside, Kenzie LaBrie was out in the cold waiting for her chance to meet Santa. She said that last year, she also couldn't remember what she asked for, but had indeed received it, and this year she had a new plan in mind.

"I am going to ask him to choose," the 12-year-old said.

Across the street from where LaBrie and her family stood waiting for Santa, Benjamin Schiffbazer, 10, had his mind on other things than Christmas presents.

"Candy," Schiffbazer said when asked what he was looking forward to when the Parade of Lights would make its way down Front Street.

Schiffbazer's family sat in the car, staying warm, while he waited for snacks.

"It's more fun out here," he said. "I like to watch all the floats go by and get lots of stuff."

Parade of Lights floats on the night included entrants from the Phillips County Ambulance Association, The US Border Patrol, the Hi-Line Heritage Group, Valley Drug, Phillips County Hospital and Family Clinic, United Country Northwest Realty & Auction, The First State Bank of Malta, Bank of Malta, Independence Bank, Big Flat Electric Co-op, and Art's Furniture & Carpet. Children along the parade route clomped through the snow to receive goodies tossed from float riders.

Winners of this year's Parade of lights were: first place, Phillips County Ambulance Association; second place, Phillips County Hospital and Family Clinic, and third place, United Country Northwest Realty & Auction.