Children safety a top concern for 85th annual Jaycees Christmas Parade

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Jefferson city kept a cherished Christmas tradition alive Saturday evening with the 85th Annual Jaycees Christmas Parade.

The event, which ran from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., brought holiday cheer and a superhero-themed celebration as "The Grinch Meets Superheroes" delighted attendees.

Beyond the festive floats and holiday spirit, safety was a top priority, particularly for the children enjoying the parade. Many participants emphasized the importance of ensuring a secure and fun experience for all.

Missouri House of Representative Rudy Veit (R- Wardsville) has attended the Jaycees Christmas Parade for over 40 years.

"I've been in this parade probably when I started in 1980, so it's been a few years I've been through this parade, but it grows every year," Veit said.

Veit said this year’s parade stood out not only for its mild weather but also for the community's heightened focus on safety.

"I tell my kids, you ride on the trailer you sit, we don't stand around, don't jump on it at all and I've got some small kids in there so it's important," Veit said. "And then generally to not throw candy in front of vehicles. We don't want kids running out and trying to get hurt as they see candy and go for it. So if everybody just walks through the edges and hand it to them it works a whole lot better."

Renee Dunckel, a participant representing Jefferson Bank, echoed Veit’s sentiments, emphasizing caution for families.

"Kids are downtown and they're excited and everybody is getting candy, and so we try really hard to make sure that we're at the front of our float," Dunckel said. "We have small kids that are on our float with their parents and then we want to make sure that the kids stay out of the way in the streets and that we stay to the front of that area to make sure that everybody stays safe,"  Dunckel said.

Jefferson City officers were also stationed throughout the area to ensure traffic flowed smoothly and to prevent any disruptions.