Branson’s 77th Annual Adoration Parade enjoyed by all

One of Branson's most loved holiday traditions is the annual Adoration Parade, held the first evening Sunday of December.

The parade, complete with floats, marching bands, decorated vehicles and more, follows a route that begins at the Branson Convention Center and runs through downtown Branson and Branson Landing Boulevard. Local churches, organizations and businesses are represented at the parade, as are schools throughout the region. Santa Claus himself also made an appearance, much to the delight of those attending Sunday's parade.

While many towns throughout the Ozarks hold Christmas parades, the one thing that sets Branson's Adoration Parade apart is the emphasis that the community places on centering the parade around the true meaning of Christmas. In fact, the theme of the Adoration Parade is "Keeping Christ in Christmas."

Thousands of people -- residents and visitors of all ages—enjoyed this year's parade, the 77th in the town's history, which was preceded by the lighting of the city's Nativity scene, located high above Branon's Lake Taneycomo. First displayed in 1949, the 28-foot-tall scene depicting the birth of Christ was damaged in the 2012 Leap Day tornado. The Nativity was refurbished that same year and can be seen each year in its place of honor on Mount Branson.