Farm equipment and more bring holiday spirit to Centralia
photos by Sara Schafer and Paul Newton
Christmas cheer and anticipation is high for the thousands of people gathered along the 1.5-mile route through the heart of Centralia. The darkness and winter chill are sliced by the blare of a train whistle. The crowd erupts with cheers as a massive John Deere tractor masquerading as Thomas the Tank Engine kicks off the annual Lighted Tractor Parade.
Following Thomas, which is driven by Fritz Schnarre with his wife, Barbi, manning the horn, are dozens of other tractors, trucks, Jeeps, lawnmowers and skid-steers. The uniting theme is all floats are canvassed with Christmas lights and decorations. This is a homegrown parade and what dreams are made of for little kids (and many adults) who love big machines.
The parade started as a way for young farmers to share some holiday cheer and create goodwill in the small town of Centralia. “We don’t run any contests, so nobody is competing against each other,” says Brian Schnarre, one of the parade’s founders.
The 17th annual Lighted Tractor Parade will take place Dec. 20 in Centralia. The free parade features 70 to 90 lighted machines and is sponsored by the Centralia Young Farmers Association. For the last few years, Sam Sudbrock, president of the Centralia Young Farmers Association, has driven a Farmall H antique tractor in the parade.
“When you turn from Switzler Street to Allen Street, it is just packed full of people,” says Sam, a member of Consolidated Electric Cooperative. “It’s such a heartwarming experience to see all these people in our small town.”
This family favorite event started back in 2007 when a few farmers were inspired after seeing a similar event in another state on TV. “The first year we had 18 or 20 entries, and it’s taken off from there,” says Brian Schnarre, farmer and member of Boone Electric Cooperative.
Every year new floats and displays amaze attendees, while familiar faces such as Santa and Mrs. Claus and Brian’s tractor turned Thomas the Tank Engine (right), continue long-standing traditions. “Every year somebody shows up with something different, and that’s part of the fun of it,” he says.
Brian’s grandkids were obsessed with Thomas the Tank Engine, so he and his wife, Fran, started the tractor-train tradition. Brian built a metal frame to go around the tractor and Fran sewed a fabric skin to slide over it. “We keep wanting to do something else, but people say you have to have Thomas,” Brian says. He drove the tractor for several years but has turned that honor over to his son Fritz.
Last year the Schnarre’s tractor was pulling a trailer with a red barn and moving windmill. The float was designed by Barbi, and she’s always excited to come up with a new idea for their display. She’s not alone. “Every year it surprises people how creative these farmers are with their floats,” she says.
Thousands of people gather to watch Centralia’s Lighted Tractor Parade to see floats of all sorts.
The parade has featured grain augers wrapped in lights to resemble candy canes, a life-size snow globe with a “real” snowman and a Grinch suspended from the bucket of an excavator. Another memorable entry was when a farmer welded a chain between his tractor and his great-nephew’s pedal tractor — so it looked like the little boy was towing the massive machine.
This focus on families and farming is what makes the event so special, says Andrew Stanton, farmer and director for Boone Electric Cooperative. “We started it as just something to do for the kids and community,” he says. “Now tractors are just part of the parade.”
The floats line up at the MFA Agri Services parking lot ahead of the parade. Sam says the order of the parade is based on who arrives first. “Think of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City and how much planning goes into that,” he says. “Our parade is like a local version of that but with very little planning.”
Because the parade attracts so many locals and visitors, Sam’s advice is to come early. The parade starts at 7 p.m., but he suggests securing a good viewing spot at least an hour ahead of time. While you wait, be sure to visit some local restaurants for dinner or hit up one of the food trucks in the city square. Dress warmly and consider bringing chairs, as the parade can last around an hour. Also, focus on safety. Many of the floats are big machines so make sure your kids keep a safe distance.
Even after all these years, it’s hard for Brian to describe the magic of the small-town parade. “People just have to come and see it for themselves,” he says.
This year’s Lighted Tractor Parade is scheduled for Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. in downtown Centralia. The event is free, but donations are accepted for the Centralia Young Farmer’s scholarship fund. For the parade route and more information, visit www.facebook.com/centraliamotractorparade.
Centralia’s annual Lighted Tractor Parade features machines and floats of all kinds. The unifying theme is they are all cloaked in lights. Last year featured about 80 floats ranging from new and antique tractors, trucks, cars, Jeeps, lawnmowers and skid-steers.