Downtown Wharton welcomed over 2,000 attendees Tuesday night for the 44th annual Small Town Christmas parade, featuring festive weather, local vendors, and vibrant floats. This year marked a new chapter as Karen Smith led the event for the first time, taking over from longtime organizer Ron Sanders. With 75 parade entries, the procession flowed seamlessly. Judges at the Plaza Theatre praised creative entries, including the Dancing Divas’ performance. Winners included Roberson Air, Boling Lions, and Imperial Wrecker Service.