MADISON – Volunteers who assisted with downtown’s seasonal activities and Madison Christmas Parade received awards at Madison City Council’s meeting on Jan. 10.

Debbie Overcash, president of Madison Station Historical Preservation Society, congratulated the winners and reported on 2022 participation. Mayor Paul Finley handed off the awards to civic volunteers and business owners who took time to participate in the Christmas contests.

“Madison Polar Express 2021 is in the books and was the best Christmas Tree Trail to-date,” Overcash said. “The Madison Station Historical Preservation Society is so pleased to partner with the City of Madison on the Polar Express and the annual Christmas Capers.”

The Christmas Capers on Dec. 12 was a reenactment from 1934 when Madison merchants threw live chickens from a building’s roof to the crowd in the street. The contemporary version of the capers uses rubber chickens with prizes valued at more than $3,000.

Merchants in Madison who contributed merchandise, Huntsville International Airport, Finley, Madison City Council, Madison Police Department, Madison Parks and Recreation Department, Madison City Community Orchestra, Rotary Club of Madison and deejay Todd Phillips supported the effort, Overcash said.

On Dec. 2, the initial lighting was held for the Polar Express Christmas Tree Trail. “Huge crowds gathered downtown for the lighting of the trees. The trail this year featured 58 fantastic trees – that’s 18 more trees than 2020,” Overcash said.

Overcash thanked everyone who helped, including downtown merchants, Madison Public Library, Madison City Community Orchestra for performing at all three events, Finley, Greg Shaw and City Council, Kelly Johnson and parks and rec employees.

Three entries received awards for the Christmas tree trail:

* Honorable mention — Christen Forsyth Real Estate Team at Capstone Realty. Represented by Valerie Burnett.

* “Most Creative” – Madison Public Library and Friends of the Library. Accepted by Dave Butler and Robyn Mielke.

“Mayor’s Choice Award” – I Vote Madison. Contacts are Tara Bailey and Heather Morgan.

In other Christmas festivities, the Madison Christmas Parade on Dec. 11 returned after it’s one-year hiatus due to COVID-19. The 2022 parade had 60 entries with the theme “The Magic of Christmas.”

Award winners in the parade followed the theme:

* “Committee Choice Award” – Amy’s Stuffed Balloons.

* “Holiday Spirit Award” for most seasonal enthusiasm – Girls Scouts of North Central Alabama, Service Unit 212.

* “Silver Bells Award” for most creative unit – Midtown Baptist Church.