Sgt. Brad Flippin to lead as this year’s grand marshal
(Seguin) – Seguin officially welcomes the 2021 Holiday Season with tonight’s lighted parade in downtown Seguin. Leading the more than 85 float entries will be this year’s Parade Marshal Sgt. Brad Flippin of the Seguin Police Department. Flippin in October sustained injuries when he was shot in the line of duty while responding to a domestic disturbance call. Two other victims were also shot and injured.
Selecting Sgt. Flippin as this year’s parade marshal was Seguin Mayor Donna Dodgen. Dodgen says Sgt. Flippin is a hero. She says he saved lives and continues to does it every day in the line of duty.
“It is exactly my first parade and I’m so very excited and you know, there’s always a lot of good options in Seguin and there’s many many good people. It’s just what has happened in our last couple of years and what we need to do I think to always honor our first responders and those who do public service and in our military that it came to mind, and I’ll be brutally honest with you.”
It was a suggestion from Jack Jones (parks director). He immediately off the top of his head said ‘what about Sgt. Flippin and those responders that responded so quickly to him?’ And I thought that is it. That’s what we are going to do and immediately went ahead and talked to both the chiefs and talked to Sgt. Flippin and everybody was like that is a perfect choice so, it was just kind of those gifts that was given to me and so I have to honor Jack for that but you know, right now at this time, what he did and the self-sacrifice, we just need to honor that and it’s the time of the year to do that, I think. There were choices and I have written those down and will keep them for future years, but this just seemed to be the perfect and right choice to make right now,” said Dodgen.
Sgt. Flippin says he is honored for the recognition and looks forward to leading the way with his family by his side.
“My kids are ecstatic. I’m excited. When the mayor first asked me, I was honored that she thought of my family. I’m especially happy that my girls get to see firsthand how much our city comes together to support one another during difficult times,” said Flippin.
Flippin, who has been recovering well from gunshot injuries to his arms, neck and head, says the public opportunity allows him to also thank those who have shown their support along the way.
“The support and everything from my friends to the community to the police department has been overwhelmingly. It’s been really I guess humbling more than anything,” said Flippin.
Sgt. Flippin, his wife and children will ride with the Mayor on a horse drawn carriage at the front of the parade.
Today’s parade kicks off two nights of downtown holiday fun. The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. The route will travel along South Austin Street beginning at the intersection of College and Austin Streets.
The Holiday Stroll Parade features lighted entries from local and area businesses and organizations.
Following the parade, the community is invited to gather with Mayor Dodgen in Central Park for the annual tree lighting. The mayor tonight will also announce the winners of the parade and of the Christmas Tree Decorating Contest.
Friday’s events include the annual Cocoa Sip N Stroll from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Stroll through downtown Seguin tasting over a dozen varieties of homemade hot chocolate. Selfies with Santa, horse drawn wagon rides plus food vendors and live entertainment will also be available. Stroll events continue on Saturday with the annual North Pole Stroll from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A variety of nonprofit organizations will be hosting children’s activities throughout Central Park.