On December 5th Daybreak participated in the Kris Kringle Parade in downtown Frederick. We carried an 8’ banner and handed out cards inviting the community to our Gingerbread House Building Family Fun Morning. We handed out between 800 to 1000 cards (way to go Daybreak!)

Even though I did it last year, I was still amazed at how the Gingerbread suit just makes people smile (especially kids). I had to constantly watch and move slowly because kids would run up to me and hug me and if I wasn’t careful I would knock them down. Once we started down the course I began to run from one side of the street to other shaking hands, giving “high 5’s”, and just having fun.

By 1/3 into the course I was covered with sweat. It dripped into my eyes so that I was slightly blinded, and condensation built up on the inside of the mask. The eye holes were covered with a black mesh which was covered with a layer of moisture again adding to the difficulty in seeing where I was going. Several times Caleb would run up and want to run with me on the route, but I told him to “stay behind the banner” because I was afraid I would run over him. To say I was sweaty would be an understatement, and I don’t want to think about the active Gingerbread men before me.

The smiles on the crowd make it all worth it.