Thumbs up for the parade! Saturday's (Dec. 1st) annual Patrick County Christmas parade in Stuart was the best I've ever witnessed! Actually, it's hard to see the parade when you're walking in it, but I know it was a premiere parade because of the smiles on the faces of the many people that lined the streets of Stuart to watch the holiday procession on a beautifully crisp, ideal afternoon for a parade. As a parade participant, I was among those "footsoldiers in the fight against cancer" who walked in the parade in support of the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.
The parade reviews have been universally favorable with everyone commenting about the high quality and variety of the approximately 125 entries. I commend Galen Gilbert and the many others who assisted in organizing the parade and especially those that participated in the event and watched it. It was especially wonderful to see the joy in the eyes of children as they get into the holiday spirit and anticipate the coming of Santa Claus in just 3 weeks. I've never seen so much candy flying as was tossed to parade spectators by the participants from the floats, cars, and other vehicles entered.
Congratulations to these winning entrants: Best Float--Stuart Concrete...Best Religious Float, Peter's Creek Baptist Church (Way to go guys and gals...this is my church and the float promoted the upcoming outdoor drama, "Hallelujah Praise the Lamb" to be presented Sat., Dec. 8 at 6 and 7:30 p.m. and Sun., Dec. 9, at 6 p.m. Y'all come and see this inspirational outdoor drama.) The top 3 fire department entries were: Moorefield Store Volunteer Fire Department, Stuart Volunteer Fire Department, and Patrick Springs Volunteer Fire Department. The top 3 rescue squad entries were: JEB Stuart Rescue Squad, Smith River Rescue Squad, and CCDF Fire and Rescue.
In addition to putting everyone in the Christmas spirit, the parade was apparently good for hometown businesses. The estimated 3,000 people or more that crowded the town's streets boosted commerce in the town business district Saturday. One merchant said it was his busiest day of the year.
It was wonderful to see Sheriff David Hubbard who rode in the Patrick County Sheriff's Department cruiser that escorted the procession. Hubbard told me that it was great to be out on such a beautiful day. Please continue to keep this retiring public servant in your prayers as he continues to recuperate from a long and very serious illness.
Another delightful highlight was seeing Gladys Akers, a soon-to-be 98 year old resident of the Landmark Center in Stuart, who rode in the parade. Ms. Akers was the first Miss Patrick County in 1935! What a dear lady!
I also enjoyed the Pride of Patrick County, the Patrick County High School Marching Cougars, who ushered in the holiday season by marching and performing in the parade.
It was a great start to the Patrick County Christmas celebration and a parade of which we should all be proud.
While Christmas gifts, parades, Santa, lights, decorations, tinsel, and other aspects of the Yuletide season are nice, let's keep firmly in our minds this Christmas that we are celebrating the birth of our precious Savior, Jesus Christ, through whom God has given us as believers the greatest gift that we will ever receive, the gift of salvation and the hope of eternal life! Now that is something to celebrate!
Be joyful,
Richard
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