HOUSTON - The annual Houston Christmas parade, sponsored by the Rotary club, was held Dec. 1 with over 40 entries and provided fun and holiday cheer for the hundreds who braved the cold weather to line the streets.

Houston Mayor Stacey W. Parker served as Grand Marshall of the 2009 parade.

Holiday music rang in the air courtesy of the Houston High School and Itawamba Community College bands while beauty queens, school clubs and Boy Scouts waved to the crowds.

The top three float entries were awarded with Woodland Furniture placing first followed by Houston FFA and Pizza Hut.

The Houston parade kicked off the season followed by Okolona's parade on Dec. 7 and Houlka and Mantee parades set for Dec. 12.

For more scenes from the Houston Christmas parade, see this week's Chickasaw Journal newspaper.