By Staff
Saturday’s second annual parade kicksoff holiday season
By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER, Lifestyles &Features Editor
CHOCOWINITY — Lance Bell, 4, and his big sister Cheyenne, 6, couldn’t agree on their favorite part of Saturday morning’s Chocowinity Christmas parade.
He liked the candy tossed by the various church groups, Scout packs and ball teams featured in the lineup. She was partial to Santa Claus, who she hopes will bring her a Cinderella doll this Christmas.
The Bell family was among the hundreds of spectators lining Bragaw Lane and a portion of N.C. Highway 33 East for the town of Chocowinity’s second holiday parade in as many years. The tradition was revived last year.
According to Arlene Jones, one of the parade organizers and a member of the town board, this year’s event was a little easier to pull together.
Jones said organizers started advertising the event in the Washington Daily News’ “About Town” feature back in the spring.
The early start appeared to be a good move as veterans’ groups, school children, church congregations, fire department and rescue personnel, elected officials and local businesses passed by in a procession that, appropriately enough, concluded with Santa Claus perched atop a fire truck.
Local churches see events such as this as opportunities to share the true meaning of Christmas.
Lucille Houston of Pinetown was in town to see her grandchildren — Erica and Cody Modlin and Emma Davis — participate in the parade.
The participants — including Southside High School junior Heather Edwards — appeared excited to take part in the event.
The band avoided one of the pitfalls of parade participation this time around, according to Edwards.