By By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER
news@wdnweb.com
Contributing Writer
BATH — While most of Saturday evening’s snowfall had melted by Sunday afternoon, the Christmas spirit prevailed in Bath as the community presented its traditional holiday parade.
Billed as the largest in Beaufort County, the parade drew more than 150 entries, according to Jean Bowen, who organized the festivities with Nelda Ormond. This marks the 27th year of the parade, Ormond said.
The former Hoogendoorn sisters — Henrika “Henny” Lewis, Betty Harris, Theodora “Dokie” Miller and Marie Slade — were honored as the 2010 grand marshals. Dressed warmly against the chilly weather, they rode together in a convertible automobile along the parade route, which wound its way along Craven, Main, Front, King and Carteret streets.
Judges selected the float by Old Country Kitchen as the best in the parade. School awards were presented to Terra Ceia Christian School and the Beaufort County Community College Student Government Association, while Athens Chapel Church of Christ received the church award. Civic winners were the Grinch/Lori Weatherington, Warren Moore and Little Boat Shop, according to Bowen.
The procession also featured a collection of classic automobiles; awards were presented to Stan Hudson of Chocowinity for his 1905 Cadillac and Todd Scott of Virginia Beach for a 1968 Camaro.
Beauty queens from throughout the area were joined by other local dignitaries, who included Bath’s mayor and first lady Jimmy and Bea Latham. Entries representing Goose Creek State Park, Northside High School, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, the Greater Pamlico Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, Terra Ceia Christian School, Belhaven Community Chamber of Commerce, Bath Creek 4-H, Bath Lions Club, Washington High School, Bath Elementary School, Bath High School Preservation, Pungo Christian Academy and fire and rescue personnel from surrounding communities joined the line-up as well.
According to Ormond and Bowen, the Christmas parade would not have been possible without the financial support of several local entities. Those included the Town of Bath, Farm Bureau Insurance, First South Bank, Southern Bank, Dr. David Elliott and the Bath Ruritan Club.