Brenda Wade Schmidt
Enterprise

Warm soup and bright lights were a sharp contrast to brisk temperatures at Saturday night’s holiday parade in Flandreau.

The Team of Angels served nine kinds of soup in a community cook-off that included a dessert.
Top place winner was Kristina Krull, followed by Nancy Dahmen in second place and Leanne Carr and Holist Sutton tied for third, based on the vote of those who ate.
Money raised will go to the same benefit that all of the Team’s fundraisers support, transportation costs for Moody County residents who need help because of medical issues, said Sutton with the Team of Angels.
“All the money stays right here at home,” he said.
After the soup event, dozens of people gathered on the downtown streets to watch first responders and lighted floats go by. Others huddled in their warm cars.
Trophies were presented to Loiseau Construction for the best business float, which included a revolving ball of white lights with cutouts representing people of all cultures to go with the parade theme, “It’s a Small World.” The best use of theme award went to B&B RV Storage and Service with Santa and Mrs. Claus flying in their sleigh over flags from numerous countries. The Rescue Church won the best youth float for an entry that included a band that played music from a flatbed.
Parade marshals Annie and Bing Garcia led the parade, behind the emergency vehicles, followed by a truck encouraging “Fight Derek Fight” for Derek Gerlach, son of Shane and Donelle Gerlach of Dell Rapids, and grandson of Diane Gerlach, of Flandreau, as honorary parade marshal. The 10-year-old boy has medulloblastoma brain cancer.
The Christmas movie, Elf, was shown free at the Crystal Theatre after the parade.