A Behind-the-Scenes Sneak Peek at the Lubbock Miracle Christmas Parade [Photos]

The 12th Annual Miracle Christmas Parade in Lubbock is a holiday tradition that is growing every year. Crowds are expected to zoom north of 30,000 this year, and there's much to look forward to.

The parade is this Saturday, December 10th at 6 p.m. and will travel the same route as last year -- down 34th street starting at Avenue Q and heading west to Indiana Avenue. The parade is free for all spectator.

I spoke with Scott Scarborough, the parade's chairman, to give us a sneak peek of what we can expect this year.

The parade's theme is 'Lights Fantastic,' and Scarborough said there will be more lights than ever. A couple thousand lights are expected on each float for a light show that's not to be missed. Some 28,000 LED lights will be synchronized to music adding some real sparkle to this year's event.

Plus, Scarborough said we can look forward to the following: Classic cars and antique tractors; Smokey the Bear with the Texas A&M Forest Service; an ice fishing scene; two horse groups, including the ABC Pro Rodeo Flag Team; two big powerhouse marching bands from Lubbock High and Coronado High; and a tremendous display expected from this year's Grand Marshall South Plains Electric.

Additionally, the U.S. Marines there to collect toy contributions for Toys for Tots will be bringing both a truck and trailer to handle the anticipated donations.

"This is one of the biggest Toys for Tots giving events," Scarborough said, sharing that volunteers David and Lavelle Baker work year-round to gather donations for the effort. They've already collected 7,500 toys for this year, he revealed.

Scarborough's enthusiasm was inspiring. "This is a freestanding entity," he told me. "There's a group of about a dozen of us that put this parade on."

The Marines gather toys at the end of the parade, when they escort Santa Claus with their large truck and trailer.

Scarborough graciously shared these pictures with us, adding: "What you don't appreciate is just how big that parade is until you see it."

Scott Scarborough owns Tom's Tree Place and shared that when he participated for the first time in the parade he was "absolutely amazed at it," adding that this has been the best live tree buying year ever. He said he thought folks were becoming more aware of the environment and were working to go green.

You can find more information about the parade at miraclesparade.com.

Bring toys for Toys for Tots and bring the family and get out to enjoy this year's bigger than ever Miracle Christmas Parade.