The fraternal organization SPJST works year-round to help create a festive float for the annual Temple Christmas parade.
TEMPLE, Texas — Volunteers and organizations across Temple are preparing for one of the city’s most cherished holiday traditions—the annual Christmas parade on Monday, Dec. 2.
The parade, which requires months of careful planning and coordination between city officials, local organizations, and volunteers, has become more than just a holiday celebration – a testament to Temple’s strong community bonds.
“It’s months and months of planning that goes into this event,” says Melanie Zavodny, who serves on the Temple Christmas parade committee. “Seeing the behind-the-scenes work with the city and the volunteers, and then seeing it all come together for that moment is a wonderful experience.”
Among the long-standing participants is SPJST, a fraternal organization founded by Czech pioneers in 1897. The organization, Slavonic Benevolent Order of the State of Texas, has been part of the parade for over two decades. The organization views …