On Saturday December 2nd the city of Redlands held its annual Christmas Parade. Among some of the organizations walking in the parade were the Redlands Terrier Marching Band, The American Cancer Society Relay 4 Life and the San Gorgonio area Girl Scouts. The Girl Scouts had a total of 15 troops come together to form group #53 to walk in the parade. Among those troops was Girl Scout Troops 542, 628, 1219, 1662, 907, 34, and 275.
With all the troops combined there was a total of 86 girl scouts walking in their group. These girls ranged from a Juliet to Daisy to Senior. Troop 907 has been walking in the Redlands Parade for going on 3 years now. Each year they try to gather as many girls from their areas as possible so that they can help fill the parade with joy and the spirit of Christmas to the rest of the community.
Lana Groves has been a troop leader for 10 years now and was able to help coordinate all of the troops together to walk in the parade. She commented that “It was wonderful to see the parade route packed with festive smiling faces, waving and starting the Christmas Season with family and friends because that is what matters the most and Redlands Community sure did come out in full force.”
Leading the troops were Autumn Alvarez and JennaRose Reyna from troop 1662. They paved the way by walking the parade and holding the Girl Scouts San Gorgonio banner. Following their lead was the American flag being carried by Natalie Haalboom and the California Republic flag being carried by Jenna Groves, both from troop 907. These girls were responsible for the flags being carried proudly through the entire parade. The remaining troops dressed as snowmen and snowflakes all singing in unison Christmas carols and Girl Scout songs.
Walking in the Redlands Parade was a great opportunity for the Girl Scouts. They were able to display their sisterhood and how they come together. The troops wanted to show parade goers just how great it is to be a Girl Scout with their enthusiasm and holiday spirit in hopes of sparking interests in other girls possibly wanting to become a Girl Scout. All of the San Gorgonio service troops enjoyed this opportunity and are hoping to keep it going next year.