• Article Photo. A pair of horses pulls a decorated wagon along the parade route.
    A pair of horses pulls a decorated wagon along the parade route.
  • Article Photo. Santa arrived Thursday at the end of the lighted patriotic Christmas parade.
    Santa arrived Thursday at the end of the lighted patriotic Christmas parade.
  • Article Photo. Group hug: Santa gets embraced by two children at once Thursday after his courthouse arrival.
    Group hug: Santa gets embraced by two children at once Thursday after his courthouse arrival.
  • Article Photo. Veterans participated in the annual parade.
    Veterans participated in the annual parade.

The holiday season began in Vinton on Thursday, as the traditional lighted patriotic Christmas parade, Lions chili supper fund-raiser for the Honor Flight organization, and the gathering of children around Santa at the courthouse all took place.

A new tradition is also under way -- the Art Store was open Thursday night downtown. There, many of the members of the Vinton Guild of Fine Arts displayed paintings and many other works of art. The store will be open on weekends until Christmas.

See more photos of Thursday's activities HERE.