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| Saturday, July 31, 2010 |
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Parade is Ho, Ho, Ho fun
Published December 9, 2009
Jackson County’s largest Christmas parade had a little bit of everything Monday night.
The Greater Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade, which stretched more than a mile long with its approximately 120 entrants, thrilled young and old alike along the parade route from Collins Elementary School to the courthouse square in downtown Scottsboro.
“It’s one of the biggest parades we’ve had in a while. The rain has passed through and is going to hold off until about midnight,” Chamber vice president of business development Ron Bailey said as the parade started about five minutes late.
Thousands lined Broad Street to take in the annual event with the children anticipating Santa and Mrs. Claus who rode high atop a Scottsboro Fire Department ladder truck at the end of the parade.
In between there was plenty to enjoy. From the Scottsboro High School Marching Band to horseback riders, the parade, themed “Jackson County Christmas,” had it all. There were floats of all types, motorcycle riders, Shriners, boats and scout troops taking part to celebrate the Christmas season. Churches, civic clubs, individuals and businesses also took part.
A brief rain that slowed to a sprinkle by parade time did little to dampen the spirits of participants or spectators. It ended soon after the parade began to pull move north on Broad Street. All parade goers had to deal with was a slight breeze and cool temperatures in the mid 40s.
“We’re going to have fun,” J.P. Parsons, the Chamber’s tourism director, said. “There’s a great group of entrants including the, emergency workers, utility crews and the many volunteers we’re honoring for their help after the storms that struck the area on Easter weekend. A lot of them have turned out to take part.”
The Chamber honored emergency personnel, utility and street department crews and volunteers who helped clean up and restore public services after a tornado struck the Macedonia area on April 10 and a windstorm affected almost the entire county on the morning of April 13.
“Thank goodness for those that worked to help pick up the pieces and attempt to make us whole again,” Chamber president and CEO Rick Roden said. “Last spring’s destruction shows us just how vulnerable we are to the weather.”
Kid’s Kingdom Learning Center captured the Mayor’s Award. The childcare center’s float included a replica of the B.B. Comer Bridge built on a long, flatbed trailer. It was complete with an osprey nest on top and was adorned with American flags on the trusses.
The Media Award went to Wayne’s Portable Toilets for its humorous slogan and colorful design. Towed by one of the company’s pumping trucks, the float included a portable toilet with an empty sleigh pulled by reindeer backed up to the doorway, which had a sign posted that said, ‘In Use.” The banner adorning the side of the float read, “Ho, Ho, Ho, Santa’s Gotta Go.”
Home Depot captured the Goose Pond Colony Award and Hollywood Baptist Church won the Chamber’s Chairman’s Award.
The fun of a parade isn’t over in Jackson County.
Parades are scheduled in Dutton, Hollywood, Section and Skyline on Saturday, Dec. 12 with open houses at the respective town halls immediately following. Dutton’s parade starts at 11 a.m., Section and Skyline at 1 p.m. and Hollywood at 4 p.m. Santa Claus is scheduled to make an appearance in each town.
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