‘Let Freedom Ring with the Bells of Christmas’ is the theme for the Parsons Christmas Parade Saturday. The more than 76 parade entries made this one of the biggest Christmas Parades in quite a few years.
By Beth Christian Broschart
The Parsons Advocate
PARSONS – The town of Parsons was a mecca of activity Saturday as people gathered to celebrate the Christmas Season with the Parsons Christmas Parade and activities. Organizer Tammy Michael said the day offered plenty of activities that are favorites for people of all ages.
“Today we started off with free sleigh rides and free hayrides,” Michael said. “We had popcorn, cookies, hot chocolate and coffee. Some of the local churches gave out free hats, free scarves and free mittens. They are also going to hand those out during our Christmas Parade.”
Michael said a few vendors offered their wares downtown before the parade.
“We had face painting and funnel cakes,” Michael said.
This year, the parade marshals for the Christmas Parade included the West Virginia State Police, the Tucker County Sheriff’s Department and our local Parsons Police.
“We wanted to honor them,” Michael said. “We have great law enforcement and we wanted to honor them. Following the parade, we will honor our officers, firemen, emergency service personnel and Veterans with a dinner at the First United Methodist Church. The Tucker County Culinary Classes are catering the dinner for us. We were honored to have them as well.”
Mayor Dorothy Judy said she was pleased to honor the Grand Marshal for the 2016 Christmas Parade. She sai
d the Grand Marshal has traditionally been reserved or individuals who have made a major impact on the Parsons Community and said that is why she and members of the Parsons City Council thought it fitting to honor the men and women in uniform.
“These men and women put their lives on the line every day to bring our communities peace, order and public safety,” Judy said, adding that it is a great privilege and honor to call these heroic public servants the Grand Marshal for the parade.Michael said were more than 75 entries in the parade including police from Philippi, Elkins and as far away as Star City, near Morgantown.
Winners in the Parsons Christmas Parade include first place, St. George United Methodist Church; second place, Jaelyn Myers, Tiny Miss Tucker County; third place, Patriots 4. The best of show winner in the twirlette groups was the Strutters Baton Group and the best of show winner in the dance groups was Rolling Thunder.
