Anthony Gonzalez | The Elkin Tribune
Brian Gibson (7) and Jacob Gibson (4) of Elkin score bags of treats at the Elkin Christmas Parade.
Anthony Gonzalez | The Elkin Tribune
Elkin Christmas Parade spectator’s Gail Cox pictured through her side view mirror holding her new granddaughter, Isabella Whitley.
Anthony Gonzalez | The Elkin Tribune
Children lined up Main Street in Elkin with buckets and bags to collect candy.
Anthony Gonzalez | The Elkin Tribune
View of the Elkin Christmas Parade from the float judges table.
Anthony Gonzalez | The Elkin Tribune
A very animated Ronald McDonald makes his presence known on the 1st float to make its way onto Main Street in Elkin.
Elkin residents lined Main street hours before and in anticipation of Elkin’s Christmas Parade.
The parade, starting in Jonesville, brought in thousands of spectators.
Jimmy Carter of East Bend said he came over to see his grandson perform with the Forbush Band. Carter positioned his lawn chair directly across the street from the Tribune office.
Joseph Hicks of Elkin said it was a good thing Carter arrived early because Carter felt the parade was going to yield a large crowd. Both Carter and Hicks settled into conversation.
Greta Lytton of Elkin was about 50 feet away from Carter and Hicks. Greta, an early arriver too, was busy grabbing another perfect position to see her daughter Tamara who is in the ROTC program for Elkin High School.
“Tamara is color guard and she’s a senior,” said the proud mom of two as she kept her son Elijah and family friend Andrew Hatcher of Ararat, Va. nearby.
As the parade made its way onto Main Street participants threw candy to the crowd, while children, some dressed in their holiday best, reached out to grab the sweet treats.
All the parade favorites were included — high school bands, dance routines, floats, vendors, buggies, antique cars, and more.
Float judges for the event were Lona York and Chris Cartwright of Elkin and Glenda Gilliam of Jonesville. All were appreciative for Vicki Roberts, a main organizer of the parade success.
“The parade is a lot larger than last year,” said York to the Tribune. “Having the parade on a Sunday is more convenient for families to attend, and that may be why crowd is so large.
“Having the parade on the same weekend and following up on Friday night’s Light Up was helpful too,” said Gilliam.
“It’s my first time attending this parade,” chucked Cartwright. “Yes, I’m a judge, but I’m overwhelmed in anticipation of what I’ll see.”
The floats were pulled by trucks, cars, buses, and occasionally live animals. Riders tossed candy, beef jerky, some stuffed animals, from parade participants who were eager to perform for the crowd of all ages.
“I’m impressed,” said Gail Cox who felt the Elkin parade was amazing. Cox was sitting in her SUV alongside Main Street keeping her new granddaughter Isabella nicely sheltered.
And, of course, bringing up the rear of the parade was the most anticipated participant of all - Saint Nick himself.
Regardless of Santa’s appearance, the parade was for the children, kids like Brian and Jacob Gibson who both scored a bag full of candy.
Reach Anthony Gonzalez at 835-1513 or email at agonzalez@heartlandpublications.com.
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