(Editors Note: See photos below of local Christmas Parades.)
Fork Shoals Christmas Parade
Jack Frost nipped at the noses of a robust crowd with rosy cheeks for the Fork Shoals Christmas parade on December 1st! Attendees braved the blustery wind for the 16th Annual Fork Shoals Parade, which was sponsored by community leaders and volunteers. Over 60 entries entertained hundreds of frozen spectators to watch floats glide down Main Street. A panel of three judges awarded six golden trophies. Most Original went to winery owners, Josh and Debra Jones, from City Scape Winery. Mr. Jones states, “It only took a pig in a sweater, a man dressed as a wine bottle, and a block of cheese cranking a wine press filled with candy for the kids.” Judges chose Woodmont High School Wildcat Player’s float as a winner for a performance and song from the famous play, Annie. The Woodmont High School Band of Pride marched in the parade and gave the best gift of music with a drum cadence. They performed their rendition of Walter Jack Rollins and Steve Nelson’s, “Frosty the Snowman.” It brought chills to everyone who heard the melody. Locals were dazzled by appearances of Grand Marshals with white glinting teeth including Mrs. Erin Gill, Mr. Harry Culpepper and Woodmont High School Theater directors as they strolled the streets. In classic old-fashioned Christmas style, Chris Cringle was bundled up in his red suit for the crisp weather and rode in on a horse drawn carriage sponsored by Hillhole Farm. Santa’s final stop was at Cedar Falls Park for refreshments and camaraderie with all the local elves. Afterwards, family and friends wished they could warm up by an open fire!
The Best Christmas Theme Winner
Dunklin Fire Department for playing waves of Christmas music
The Best Country Christmas Theme Winner
Woodmont High School for the display of Future Farmers of America.
Float Favorite
Heatherly Brothers’ antique red T-bird car. Fountain Inn Christmas Parade
Fountain Inn Christmas Parade
Wise men and women gathered on December 4th for Fountain Inn’s Annual Christmas parade! Main Street was packed with excited spectators to view festive floats. It was the biggest crowd to date! A big community thank you to Envirocare Landscape Management, Laurens Electric Cooperative and Fountain Inn Christian School for putting on a parade to remember. The theme this year was holiday creativity and cheerful community enthusiasm. Hillcrest High School took the spotlight for Christmas caroling as the parade’s marching band. Participants made joyful noise for Fountain Inn’s new Mayor and Grand Marshal, George Patrick McCleer, and new council members. Santa was there wishing everyone good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year!
First place winner – Let’s Dance
Second place winner – Long & Sons Utility
Third place winner – C. Dan Joyner, Realtors and Christina Ortiz State Farm Agency
Mauldin Christmas Parade
Santa believers had a holy jolly time at the Mauldin Christmas Parade on the 7th day of December. This year, the parade theme was “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” It had the largest attendance in years with beautiful weather. The sun even shined like five golden rings! The Mauldin High School band performed magical Christmas songs with lots of cheers from the crowd. A very special Grand Marshal, former Mayor L.S. Green, was the crowd favorite. He will turn 100-years-old in February and was very excited to be a part of the special event! Two other local legends made an appearance including State Representative, Garry Smith, and our City Administrator, Brandon Madden. Cristina Ortiz State Farm and C. Dan Joyner, Realtor’s beautiful float displayed a sleigh, a chimney and candy canes. A choir of children sang, danced and passed out goodies and gumdrops to guests. Santa arrived at the end of the parade like a knight in a white horse drawn carriage. He promised gifts of true love, two turtledoves and a partridge in a pear tree!
First Place
Cristina Ortiz State Farm
C. Dan Joyner, Realtors
Simpsonville Christmas Parade
In the little town of Simpsonville, residents felt peace, love and joy after their first sightings of Santa at the Annual Christmas Parade on December 1st. Main Street hosted 87 groups and businesses as they followed the North Star to the finish line. Weichert Realtors Shaun & Shari Group presented the parade celebration to all local angels big or small. Everyone put their own creative Christmas twist on floats; from a dog-walking group with furry friends to a trailer decorated with the cast from Rudolph holing an axe thrower. A Yeti float brought a blanket of snow and ice to the road. The Simpsonville Christmas Parade no longer requires a theme or judges entries for awards. With feathered wings and a halo, the Center for Community Services received the honor of acting as the Grand Marshal for the parade. When Santa rode in on his sleigh, the crowd rejoiced like an orchestra of trumpets!
Watch a Replay of the Simpsonville 2019 Christmas Parade
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