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Christmas Comes to Farmville

   Written by on December 5, 2013 at 12:40 pm

To kick off the month of December and the Christmas season, the Farmville Jaycees Christmas Parade and celebration took place in Downtown Farmville Sunday, December 1. The parade started at 2 p.m. and was followed by a meet and greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus in front of Crute Stage on Fourth Street.

The parade began with Grand Marshal Henry Fulcher riding by, closely followed by the Southside Shrine Club Mini Patrol. The Shrine Club cruised around in their tiny cars, spinning circles all over Main Street.

Prince Edward County High School’s Homecoming King and Queen, proud representatives of their school, appeared in the parade, followed by the Prince Edward County Marching Band.

Several local fire departments participated in the parade, including Hampden-Sydney Volunteer Fire Department, Pamplin Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Prospect Volunteer Fire Department, Randolph District Volunteer Fire Department, Meherrin Volunteer Fire and Rescue and Rice Volunteer Fire Department.

The Farmville Area Kiwanis had a Grinch-themed float with the Grinch himself walking along beside them, interacting with the people lined up on the street.

Winners of the Five County Fair contests were also in the parade, including Little Miss Five County Fair Samantha Price, Junior Miss Five County Fair Sierra Mottley, Teen Miss Five County Fair Kayla Vaughn and Miss Five County Fair Amera Ghanem.

Local churches also had floats, including Pisgam Baptist, Concord Baptist, Union Outreach Fellowship, Beulah Church and St. John’s Lutheran. Many of these floats included different representations of the manger scene from the Bible.

Other local organizations that were represented in the parade included Habitat for Humanity, Farmville Lions Club, local Girl Scout troops, Farmville Rotary Club, Zephyr Stables, The Over Comers Club, Inc., and more.

Many organizations interacted with the crowd, particularly with the children, handing out candy and other treats. There was even a Mystery Machine, complete with Scooby Doo walking around high-fiving people.

The conclusion of the parade presented the Fuqua School Homecoming Court followed by the Fuqua School Marching Band. Right after the band, Santa Claus rode in on a sleigh surrounded by plenty of children.

Following the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus sat in front of Crute Stage on Fourth Street where children, and even some adults, were able to have their pictures taken on Santa’s lap.

At 4 p.m. the illumination of Crute Stage was set to enthrall. Beginning with a performance of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Ashley “Hoop Girl” Russell, the actual illumination of Crute Stage took place at dark, delighting young and old. The small stage was bright with decorated trees, lights and wrapped packages.

This Farmville Christmas celebration was enjoyed by many of the town’s community members. The families with children of all ages who had gathered for the parade festivities and the illumination went home that evening truly feeling the spirit of the holiday season.

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