By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Five groups in Alabaster’s Dec. 7 Christmas parade separated themselves from the pack of more than 100 parade entries, taking home top honors in several categories.

Thousands of spectators braved frigidly cold temperatures and lined the southbound side of U.S. 31 to enjoy the parade’s 110 entries and kick off the Christmas season.

The parade, which was organized and directed by Alabaster personnel and the Alabaster Beautification Board, started near the Alabaster-Pelham line and traveled down U.S. 31 before turning right onto Second Place Northwest, traveling down First Street Southwest and ending at the stop sign in front of Southbrook Village.

Each parade entry stopped in front of the judging stand at the former Alabaster City Hall building near the intersection of U.S. 31 and Second Place Northwest to be judged.

The theme for this year was “Wishin’ for a White Christmas,” which was chosen by students at Creek View Elementary and Meadow View Elementary.

The winners in this year’s parade were:

-Best Use of Theme: Thompson 105-pound youth football

-Most Creative: Southern Dance Arts Storybook Holiday

-Most Entertaining: Joy’s Dance Company and 2 Blu and The Lucky Stiffs

-Best Walking Entry: Shelby County 4-H Horse Club

-Best Holiday Spirit: Thompson Intermediate School’s Miss TIS and fourth and fifth-grade court