The holidays are a time for celebration, creativity, and community spirit. This year, the Wood County Health Department eaHehhfhad the incredible opportunity to take part in the BG Community Holiday Parade, an annual event that brings people together in a colorful, festive display. The theme of the parade was "Snow Globe Holiday," and as a group representing different divisions of the local health department, we decided to take the theme to the next level with some imaginative, unique costumes.

We created eight snow globe costumes, each representing a different division of our health department. The result was a fun, memorable way to showcase the important work each division does while embodying the holiday spirit in a magical snow globe setting.

Bringing the Snow Globe Theme to Life

When we first heard that the theme of the BG Community Holiday Parade was "Snow Globe Holiday," we immediately knew we wanted to create something special. Snow globes are a symbol of winter wonderland magic, capturing the essence of the season in their swirling snow and festive figures. The challenge was figuring out how to turn that image into a costume that could both reflect our diverse health services and participate in the parade’s festivities.

After much brainstorming, we came up with the idea to use clear umbrellas as the base for our snow globes. These umbrellas provided the perfect structure: clear enough to see through and big enough to stand inside. Each snow globe was designed to reflect one of the various divisions within the health department, and each umbrella would become a mobile, interactive winter scene representing the services we provide to the community.

The Health Departments We Represented

Each of the eight snow globes highlighted a different division, all of which play a crucial role in promoting the health and wellbeing of our community. Here’s a glimpse at how each one came to life:

• Health Preparedness and Promotion: This globe featured snowflakes shaped like bandages and vaccine vials, symbolizing the importance of emergency preparedness and the role of staying informed to protect public health.
• Environmental Health: Inside this globe, we showcased water droplets, pool floaties, and eating utensils—just a few examples of the wide range of services provided by our Environmental Health department, from water safety to sanitation.
• The Health Center: The Health Center snow globe was filled with miniature health-related props, such as stethoscopes and bandages, reflecting the comprehensive medical care and vital services offered to our community.
• Dental Care: This globe focused on promoting dental health, with playful props like toothbrushes and teeth scattered throughout, serving as a fun reminder of the importance of oral hygiene, even during the holiday season.
• Behavioral Health: Highlighting mental wellness, this globe featured symbols related to therapy, counseling, and available mental health resources, emphasizing the department's commitment to supporting emotional well-being.
• WIC (Women, Infants, and Children): Our WIC snow globe was adorned with healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, symbolizing the vital services we provide to mothers, infants, and children to ensure proper nutrition and well-being.
• The Office of the Health Commissioner: This globe represented leadership and collaboration in public health, with items such as an open book, a calculator, and a birth certificate, reflecting the administrative efforts that support community health initiatives.
• General Health Promotion: The final globe showcased a broader view of health promotion, featuring the Wood County Health Department logo as snowflakes, emphasizing the department’s ongoing work in promoting overall health and wellness in the community.

Parade Day: Spreading Holiday Cheer and Health

On parade day, we gathered in our snow globe costumes, each umbrella glowing with holiday lights and sparkling snowflakes. The Mobile Health Center served as the main vehicle for the health department in the BG Community Holiday Parade, and it truly stole the spotlight. As it rolled down the parade route, it symbolized the department’s commitment to accessibility. The Mobile Health Center’s participation in the parade underscored the importance of public health outreach, while also reminding the community that healthcare is something that can be brought directly to them, anytime, anywhere. As we marched down the street, it was hard not to feel the joy of being part of something so festive and meaningful. The crowds cheered as we danced and waved, and we couldn’t help but smile as we passed out little gifts to spread holiday cheer.

Throughout the parade, we handed out toothbrushes, candy canes, and clementine oranges—all symbols of healthy habits and sweet treats to bring smiles to everyone’s faces. The toothbrushes tied back to our dental care theme, the candy canes symbolized holiday joy, and the clementines offered a healthy, seasonal snack for parade-goers to enjoy. It was a wonderful way to connect with the community and reinforce the importance of maintaining good health, especially during the busy holiday season.

The Magic of Community and Health

Participating in the BG Community Holiday Parade was an unforgettable experience. It allowed us to combine creativity with our passion for public health, and it gave us the chance to bring a little magic to the community. Now that the parade has ended, it’s important to reflect on the spirit of the event. It wasn’t just about the costumes or the decorations; it was about bringing people together, sharing joy, and celebrating the importance of health in our community. Whether it was through handing out a toothbrush or simply sharing a smile, we were able to make a difference and add a little bit of magic to the holiday season.

Next year, we’re already thinking about how we can top our snow globe costumes—because one thing is for sure: the BG Community Holiday Parade will always be a magical opportunity to celebrate health, community, and the joy of the season.