By Cassidy Grubbs
Contributing writer

The long-standing tradition of the Village Christmas Parade was celebrated by at least two thousand people on Dec. 13.  Even the cold did not keep residents of all ages from coming together for this holiday event. 

“We have a great crowd … even if it is a little bit chilly,” said Margaret Lawhorne, one of the organizers of the parade this year. 

The Courthouse was full of people an hour before the event started, and the men behind the microphone were ready to go. 

“When you get here and look around and see all these people, it’s exciting,” said Braxton Collier, one of the assistant announcers.  Also in the head seats were Bobby Wilcox, who has participated the past four years, and the main master of the mike, John Rothert. 

Rothert was able to keep the crowd entertained, even through technical difficulties (“Santa doesn’t have as many helpers as we have out here today.  Hopefully next year we’ll have a speaker system equal to their efforts,” he said).

What would a parade be without floats?  There were around 85 entries this year, and about 100 vehicles traveled down the street. New Hope Fellowship Church’s float included a house full of puppets rocking out to Christmas tunes.  Premier Dance Studio performed a routine to Run, Run, Rudolph while Cartwheels Academy children walked on their hands and Southside Shrine Club’s mini patrol zoomed around in little cars. 

This year’s parade also had 35 food and craft vendors, all with something to offer, which was “more than we’ve ever had,” said Lawhorne. 

And then, finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for: Santa’s arrival.  At the end of the parade, the big man himself came and sat in the gazebo in front of the Village Christmas tree.  Powhatan High School student Angela Davis sang Silent Night and Jingle Bells for the ceremonial lighting of the tree. 

There was a line of children eager to whisper their Christmas wishes as they sat on his lap.  When asked whether she enjoyed the parade, one little girl could only stop long enough for a quick, “Yes!” before she ran down the sidewalk with her candy cane.

Not only were children running around, but there were many adults who enjoyed the event.  One resident, Xavier Keeton, said, “I didn’t even know there were this many people in Powhatan.” 

Christmas Mother Gail Timberlake, who was in the parade, said “it was great riding down the road, everyone is here!” 

Proceeds from the parade were donated to the Christmas Mother program.

Lawhorne said the Chamber of Commerce had called the bank to see if they were interested in being responsible for the event.  She said preparation for the parade began back in August. 

“We can’t just come out here and have a parade,” she joked.  The annual Christmas Parade is an exciting event that brings together the entire county to share the holiday spirit, thanks to the hard work of the community.

“A lot of hours were put in to it,” said Lawhorne. “Volunteers and friends were doing it out of the goodness of their hearts.”