The Franklin News-Post
P. O. Box 250
310 Main Street, SW
Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151
540-483-5113
Fax: 540-483-8013
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| The jolly, old elf will follow more than 100 entries in the 54th annual Christmas parade Sunday afternoon |
File Photo by Dallas Woody:
Santa Claus will make his first official visit to Franklin County during the 54th annual Franklin County Christmas parade, which begins at 3 p.m. Sunday. He will be atop the Rocky Mount Volunteer Fire Departments No. 1 ladder truck and will be the last vehicle in the 100-unit event. |
Friday, December 4, 2009
By MORRIS STEPHENSON - Staff Writer
The 54th annual Franklin County Christmas parade will step off at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6 after lining up on Tanyard Road in Rocky Mount.
Dorothy Cundiff, executive director of the Franklin County Retail Merchants Association, said more than 100 entries are expected.
Units will enter Main Street from Tanyard Road, proceed down South Main Street and turn right on Floyd Avenue.
The parade will then move onto Franklin Street and proceed back to Main Street at Tuttle's Exxon, where units will turn left on Pell Avenue and return to the staging area on Tanyard Road.
Cundiff said the Franklin County High School Marching Eagles Band again will be featured, along with the FCHS Air Force ROTC cadets.
"The Shriners and their train will be back, and I am sure they'll delight both the young and old," Cundiff said.
Entries will be judged in two categories, including best overall float and the most unusual unit. Cash awards of $200 for first place and $150 second place will be given in both categories.
Rocky Mount Fire Chief Posey Dillon will serve as this year's parade marshal.
Rocky Mount Chief of Police Erik Mollin will lead the parade, followed by the grand marshal car, Rocky Mount mayor and town council and the Franklin County Board of Supervisors, Congressman Tom Perriello, Sen. Robert Hurt and Del. Charles Poindexter.
The entry list includes: American Legion Post 6, FCHSﾠEagles Marching Band, Teresa's School of Baton and Dance, Kazim Shriners "Tramps," Emeraldettes Baton Corps, Miss Pigg River and Little Miss Pigg River, Franchesca's School of Dance, Rocky Mount Lawn and Landscape, Sandy Ridge Baptist Church, Boy Scout Troop and Cub Pack 130, Franklin County Relay for Life, Callaway Cub Pack 369, Dudley Jets Soccer and Scruggs Fire/Rescue Tanker.
Also Davenport Energy/American Breast Cancer Foundation, Candy Mill, Southwest Virginia Antique and Power Association, Henry Volunteer Fire Department Blackwater Bowhunters, Redwood Ruritan Club, Girl Scout Troop 7, Aladdin Temple III/Prince Hall Shriners, Jacks Mountain Quarry, Franklin Heights Baptist Church Youth Group, Henry Fork Church of the Brethren, Franklin County Cheerleaders and Cub Scout Pack 375.
Also Franklin County Fireballs, Blue Knights Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, Cool Branch Rescue Squad, Snow Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Lighthouse Baptist Church, Roanoke Fire Department Squad One (1953 Oren squad wagon), Michael Gardell's 1930 Ford Model A Street Rod and Glade Hill Cub Pack 362.
Also Mount Pleasant Christian Church, Keeley Poindexter, Miss Greater Franklin County along with other pageant winners, Henry Girl Scout Troop 2319, Smith Brothers, Franklin County Blaze, Franklin County Trailblazers 4-H Horse and Pony Club, Franklin County Farm Bureau, Glade Hill Volunteer Fire Department, MG Landscaping and James "Chubby" Arrington.
Also Shelor Motor Mile, Sontag MusicﾠClub, Bootleg Farm (horses), Pine Crest Stables, Franklin County Rescue Squad, The Zone, Southwest Virginia Antique Farm Days, Masonic Lodge of the 39th District, Game Day Sports Bar and Grill, Alexis Bolling, Tiny Miss We Care; Alyce Haynes, 2010 Miss Greater Franklin County; Davanna Law, Miss Greater Franklin County Outstanding Teen; Miranda Bousman, Miss Greater Franklin County pre-teen; Gethsemane Baptist Church/Center for Christian Counseling, Youth of Virginia Speak Out (about traffic safety) and Dickie Wilcher.
Also Boones MillﾠRecreation Cheerleading, Franklin Muffler and Pipe, Emily and Amanda Southern, Franklin County Wildcats, Franklin Animal Center, Girl Scout Troop 53, Miss Roanoke Valley and Smith Mountain Lake Marine/Fire/Rescue.
Also We Care of Franklin County queens, Elegant Woodworks, Blue Ridge Performing Arts Academy, Morris Stephenson and Goldie, Arianna Grace Anderson, Tiny Miss Southside Virginia; Franklin County Rescue Squad, Unique Expressions Hair Beauty Shop, Girl Scout Troop 1284, Boy Scout Troop 3750.
As always, Santa Claus will be atop the Rocky Mount Volunteer Fire Department's ladder truck as the last unit in the parade, Cundiff said.
"Santa Claus is truly coming to town," Cundiff added. |
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