Great day for parades

By Eloria Newell James, community@laurelleadercall.com

December 07, 2008 12:48 pm

— Parades. Parades. Parades.
That was the scene in the area Saturday as annual Christmas parades cruised through the downtowns of the cities of Laurel, Ellisville and Sandersville.
From school and community groups and queens to Santa Claus, the decorated floats and vehicles delighted the thousands of spectators that lined the cities’ streets.
Ishaunna Gully of Laurel braved the cold weather Saturday morning to continue her family tradition of bringing her nine-year-old son, Willis, to the Sertoma Christmas Parade in Laurel.
Gully, who is confined to a wheelchair, said her inability to walk has not stopped her from coming each year to the parade, which had more than 115 entries this year.
“I’ve been in a wheelchair seven years, but I’ve been coming to the parade 27 years,” she recalled with a smile. “We look forward to coming every year because it’s a community event. Everyone comes out.”
People from Laurel and all the surrounding towns in Jones County, along with several groups from Heidelberg, came out for the celebration.
“I know a lot of people and their children, who are in the parade,” Gully said. “I just park where I can and get in where I can.”
A Laurel man referring to himself as “Santa Claus”, and his wife, Judy, said they come each year as spectators to the event “to just see the wonderful people and the parade and to help out with the (Kiwanis) Pancake breakfast.”
Jacky Keyes brought her three-year-old, Cameron Lindsey, to the parade.
“I love the excitement of it all,” Keyes said. “The children like the parade and the different things that are in it.”
In Ellisville, Eric and Annmarie Russell of Moselle brought their family and some friends to the annual Christmas parade as part of a family tradition.
“We always bring them,” Annmarie Russell said. “My children, Cameron, 9; Adam, 10; Shauna, 12 and Tyler, 13, look forward to coming every year. This year we brought along two of their friends, Casey and Corey Coleman.”
Jennifer Patterson, a native of Ellisville, brought her two-year-old son, Jonathan, and other family members to two of the parades.
“We went to the Laurel parade early this morning and now we are here in Ellisville,” Patterson said. “I just come to see the expression on his (Jonathan’s) face when he sees the floats and hears the music from the band. ... We all enjoy it.”
Chad Gilbreaith, owner of Sonic Drive-In in Ellisville, delighted parade goers with free coupons.
Sonic’s car hoppers skated along the parade route passing out the coupons while the Sonic’s Limeade character passed out hugs and high-fives to parade goers.
Gilbreaith said participating in the local parade activities is a way of meeting people and giving back to the community.
“It’s a part of our community involvement,” he said. “It’s a great way to give back. It also allows us to meet our customers.”
City officials, along with various merchants and businesses, from each of the communities greeted the spectators at the parades and reminded them that it’s Christmas time.

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.