Bailey parade to kick off holiday season

By KEN RIPLEY

Santa Claus is coming to town, several of them, starting this weekend with Christmas parades in Bailey and Nashville and next weekend in the Middlesex Christmas parade.

Baileys longtime parade will be held this Saturday at 2 p.m. with the theme this year, Christmas from the Mountains to the Sea.

Bailey residents Charles and Faye Williams will be the grand marshals, said parade organizer Mike Davis of the Bailey Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the parade and tree lighting.

More than 60 entries, including the bands from Southern Nash, Northern Nash, Rocky Mount, and Nash Central High Schools, will march down Main Street from the east side of town on Green Street to the Country Doctor Museum.

The Shriner monster trucks and horse patrol will also join the local floats, beauty queens, dignitaries, the Southern Nash ROTC, and the big guest of honor, Santa Claus.

Santa will first appear in Bailey Friday night at 6:30 p.m. for the towns lighting of the Christmas Tree near the old town hall. Davis said there will also be caroling and free hot chocolate and cookies.

To me the parade really kicks off the Christmas season and I think it will be a very big crowd, Davis said.

Nashville festivities will begin with a 4-H Holiday Extravaganza at the Nash County Agriculture Center on Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with music and Santa in the evening, and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

After performances by two middle school bands and the Nash Central High School Chorus, the Chamber of Commerce will host the Childrens Christmas Parade on Saturday at 4 p.m.

After the parade, the mayor will light the Christmas tree and Santa will arrive in a shiny, red car from LBJ.

Middlesex will hold its third annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 8, at 2 p.m., starting at Mortex on N.C. 231 and heading through town down Hanes Ave. to the elementary school.

Parade founder and organizer, Cindy Ridgeway, said more than 50 entries will include Southern Nash Rocky Mount, and Hunt High School bands and the Helping Hands Mission Band of Raleigh, along with the Shriner monster trucks and horses, local floats, fire trucks, beauty queens, the East Wake Dance Team and Cheerleaders, and, of course, Santa Claus.

Before the parade starting at 11:30 a.m. and continuing after the parade until 5 p.m. will be food vendors, local musical entertainment, and pictures with Santa after the parade.

It should be a great day, she said.

Source: http://springhopeenterprise.com/bailey-parade-to-kick-off-holiday-season-p6435-102.htm

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