Flint Hills Breadbasket’s box truck, covered with Christmas lights, rides through downtown Manhattan during the 23rd annual Spirit of the Holidays Lighted Parade, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.
Staff photo by Lewis Marien
Photos by Lewis Merian – Mercury Staff Photographer
An annual tradition in the Little Apple, the 23rd Spirit of the Holidays Lighted Parade took place Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Manhattan.
Heritage Builders takes part in the 23rd annual Spirit of the Holidays Lighted Parade, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Manhattan.
Entries make their way down Poyntz Avenue during the 23rd annual Spirit of the Holidays Lighted Parade, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Manhattan.
Wild and Associates LLC American Family Insurance received the “Spirit of the Breadbasket” award during the 23rd annual Spirit of the Holidays Lighted Parade, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Manhattan.
Members of the Manhattan High School Big Blue Marching Band play under the moonlight Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, during the 23rd annual Spirit of the Holidays Lighted Parade in Manhattan.
Floats from Taussig Landscape, winners of the “Best in Show” award, make their way down Poyntz Avenue, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, during the 23rd annual Spirit of the Holidays Lighted Parade in Manhattan. The parade, which went west on Poyntz Avenue up to 14th Street, featured more than 70 entries of organizations and businesses, making it one of the largest in the event’s history.
Manhattan Catholic Schools displays a Nativity scene for their float in the parade during the 23rd annual Spirit of the Holidays Lighted Parade, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Manhattan.
Participants walk along a school bus decked out in Christmas lights during the 23rd annual Spirit of the Holidays Lighted Parade, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Manhattan.
Manhattan Area Technical College won the “Best Use of Lights” award for their pirate-themed float during the 23rd annual Spirit of the Holidays Lighted Parade, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Manhattan.
The Chick-fil-A cow waves from a pickup truck during the 23rd annual Spirit of the Holidays Lighted Parade, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Manhattan.
Scouts walk alongside their boat float decorated with Christmas lights during the 23rd annual Spirit of the Holidays Lighted Parade, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Manhattan.
Republic County High School’s marching band makes their way down Poyntz Avenue during the 23rd annual Spirit of the Holidays Lighted Parade, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Manhattan. The school is from Belleville.
People stand along Poyntz Avenue as entries in the 23rd annual Spirit of the Holidays Lighted Parade make their way down the street, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Manhattan. This year’s parade had over 70 entries, one of the largest in event history.
Ed Klimek watches the 23rd annual Spirit of the Holidays Lighted Parade on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Manhattan. Klimek, a former Manhattan city commissioner and mayor, served as the parade’s grand marshal.
