People lined the downtown streets of Laurel and Ellisville Saturday as the cities hosted their annual Christmas parades.
In Laurel, the festive parade began at 10 a.m. and featured area bands, floats and cars, and of course, the crowd favorite — Santa Claus.
“We get as much of a kick out of the parade as the kids do,” said 52-year-old Olivia Brown of Laurel. “I look forward to coming to the parade each year just to have fun and hang out with my grandkids.”
Brown was at the parade with her daughter, Cynthia Taylor of Laurel and eight-year-old twin grandsons, Darryl and David Taylor. “I can’t think of any other place I’d want to be today,” she said.
Neither could Shady Grove resident Brenda Newcomb, who has attended the Laurel parade for 38 years. The Christmas parade, sponsored by the Laurel Sertoma Club, is now a Newcomb family tradition.
“We start with the pancake breakfast and then come out here for the parade,” said Newcomb. “There were seven of us at the breakfast and I’m here at the parade with my daughter.”
Newcomb’s daughter, 19-year-old Tiffany Smith, admits that her brother’s participation in the parade was the motivating factor for her getting out in the cold weather to attend the parade. “He’s on the Community Bank truck,” she said. “Parades are always a lot of fun.”
For 10-year-old Dustin Harris of Laurel, there’s nothing like the fun and excitement of seeing motorcycles and fire trucks traveling down the parade route.
“I just love them,” he said. “They are real cool and a whole lot of fun.”
Harris’ parents, Renee and Daniel, have brought Dustin and his five-year-old brother, Athan, to the parade for about four years. “It’s kind of nice for us to come out to the parade together as a family,” said Daniel Harris. “The parade is pretty and something different. We all love it.”
The Ellisville parade is loved and enjoyed by folks there, too. In fact, some residents are quick to say it is much better than the Laurel parade.
“It’s not as commercial as the one in Laurel,” said Brenda Powe of Ellisville. “It’s more like a family atmosphere, just what a Christmas parade is mean to be. It’s all about family.”
Family is what made 74-year-old George and Melwese Smith drive from Collins to attend the Ellisville Christmas parade. Their grandson, Jake Davis, is a drummer with the South Jones High School Band.
“We have to come and see him in the parade,” said Melwese Smith. “Last year, we didn’t recognize him until after he had passed us. I hated that. I hope this year will be different.”
This year is indeed different for Melwese Smith. Last year she had the flu, but she wouldn’t dare let sickness keep her from seeing her grandson march.
“You just want to be here for something like this,” she said.
The evening concluded with the annual Christmas parade in Sandersville and the lights at Mason Park in Laurel.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Photo/Lacey Walters
-
Photo/Lacey Walters
-
Photo/Charlotte A. Graham
-
Photo/Charlotte A. Graham
Christmas time is here
Laurel, Ellisville, Sandersville host annual parades
- Local News
-
-
Parents outraged
“It’s a sad day in East Jasper.” Those were the words of several parents who came out to the Heidelberg Multipurpose Complex Wednesday evening.
-
Jones Co. native killed in Jackson accident
A Jones County native will be laid to rest this weekend after a fatal crash in Rankin County.
-
Ellisville earns state-wide award
The City of Ellisville has yet another award under its belt.
-
New No. 5 fire station ready
A ribbon cutting ceremony will be conducted today for the City of Laurel’s newest fire station.
Nearly 70 years after the construction of it’s original building, the City of Laurel’s Fire Station No. 5 has a new home. -
Annual ‘Gift of Sight Day’ being offered
About nine people will receive free eye procedures as the Southern Eye Center in Hattiesburg observes its annual “Gift of Sight Day.”
-
Students participate in Arbor Day event
Local residents celebrated Arbor Day for the planting of trees at several local schools.
-
Arbor Day set for Feb. 10
The City of Laurel is recognizing Arbor Day and Laurel Mayor Melvin Mack has proclaimed Friday, Feb. 10th, as Arbor Day in the City of Laurel.
-
JCJC’s student health fair focusing on prevention
Jones County Junior College students recently had the opportunity to discover the true meaning of Benjamin Franklin’s motto, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” at the college’s Student Health Fair. Hundreds of students took advantage of the opportunity to learn about a wide range of topics including behavioral problems, nutrition, fitness, and foot care.
-
Aspiring to greatness
The Rev. Leander Bridges was the keynote speaker at Jones County Junior College’s Black History Program Tuesday.
-
Arrest made in bomb threat
A 19-year-old Jones County Junior College student was arrested Tuesday in connection with a bomb threat to a building on the school’s campus earlier in the day.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
