Chairs line Lakelands streets days before parade

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A rainbow of chairs in all colors and sizes lined the streets of Lakeland the evening before the Christmas Parade.

The chairs were empty - holding spots for thousands of people excited about the downtown parade of floats, boats, lights and bands.  

Folks in Lakeland know, to get the best view, you have to plan ahead and get that chair in place.  

"Everyone's in the spirit and everyone wants a good vantage point; we totally understand, and the chairs are just part of it," said Kevin Cook with the city of Lakeland. 

Some were so intent upon having the perfect spot; they began putting out chairs on Monday. But the lines of chairs along the roadways aren’t sitting well with some in town.

"This isn't the Macy's Parade, and even with Macy's, they don't let them set up days in advance," said Lakeland business owner Terisa Glover.

But the parade went off Thursday night without a hitch. The weather was on the warm side and no one played musical chairs with the lines of seats. Mickey, Minnie and, of course, Santa all made an appearance.