It’s one of those Sullivan County events that I’ve always associated with childhood joy. The bright lights, the candy, the appearances by Santa, and the holiday feel have long made the James Dworetsky Memorial Parade a favorite for kids (and parents) alike. 

This year was no different, despite frigid temperatures that rendered both my camera and the fingers to operate it virtually useless at times. 

Toddlers shouting “Santa! Santa! I see Santa” warmed my heart enough to make up for those frozen fingers. 

It was after, as I stood at the side of my car, door ajar but pulled against my body while my gloved fingers clumsily loaded equipment into my camera bag, that I wondered if a few folks hadn’t caught the message of this particular parade. 

I was parked on a side street, along with dozens of other paradegoers, and as I stood there, hastily stowing away my camera equipment, at least three cars whipped by me so quickly that my car door vibrated against my rear end. 

The speed felt unnecessary for a side street in a village on any day, but particularly on the day of one of Jeffersonville’s biggest events of the year. 

The Dworetsky Holiday Parade is one that brings families to town by the dozens, families with small children who depart the parade route for their cars shortly after the last firetruck and float has made its way through. 

It’s all of those families — and their small children — who drivers need to keep in mind when leaving events like this holiday favorite. 

The village is dark and full of kids who move quickly and are prone to darting out into traffic, no matter how hard parents try to hold onto them. 

I saw more than a few ill-advised motor vehicle moves Friday night, cars making the sort of aggressive moves expected in stop and go traffic on an interstate. I heard from parents that their children were nearly hit by aggressive drivers as they attempted to walk back to their cars after the evening’s fun. 

I know it was cold, and it was past the witching hour for most young kids. Add in the family in town for the holiday, and there were plenty of reasons folks wanted to get home quickly. 

With my own teenager home from college for a limited time, I know I couldn’t wait to curl up in my living room to watch a movie with my family. 

But in a season that’s all about family, at an event that’s all about childhood joy, it bears remembering these are the very reasons to take a breath and ease slowly into the line of cars. 

It may not get you home quite as quickly, but it’s the quickest way to ensure all of those kids get home safe and sound to write their lists to Santa.