Maplesville Christmas parade winners announced
Published 11:40 am Monday, December 12, 2016
Maplesville Clinic won first place in the Maplesville Christmas Parade. (Joyanna Love/ Advertiser)
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- The Randolph Baptist Church youth and praise team won third place in the Maplesville Christmas Parade. (Photos by Joyanna Love/ Advertiser)
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- Randolph Baptist Church children’s ministry won second place in the Maplesville Christmas Parade.
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- Local veterans Howard Flannagan, left, and John Andrews served as grand marshal for the parade.
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- Maplesville High School football players and cheerleaders rode a float.
By JOYANNA LOVE/Senior Staff Writer
A change in the date for the Maplesville Christmas Parade did not dampen the enthusiasm of those participating Saturday.
Maplesville Clinic was awarded the $100 first place prize in the float contest, while Randolph Baptist Church children’s ministry Team Kids received second. The RBC youth and praise team placed third.
Second place received $75. Third place received $50.
Pam Nichols of Maplesville Clinic said it was the office’s first time participating in the parade.
“It feels wonderful. We put a lot of hard work into it,” Nichols said.
Efforts to create the whimsical float featuring presents, elves, Mrs. Claus, lights and a train set began in September.
“We came up with a theme and we just worked from there,” Nichols said.
Kim Smith of Maplesville Clinic said they worked on the float a little at a time as their work load allowed.
“We all kinda made everything homemade… and it all came together,” Smith said.
Randolph Baptist Church children’s float featured a manger scene. Christina Wilkins of RBC said they chose this theme because “Jesus is the greatest gift for Christmas … the greatest gift ever received.”
This was the ministry’s second year to participate in the event.
Katie Wilkins played Mary on the float. She said she wanted to participate “because Christmas is about Jesus.”
While she was happy the float placed in the contest she said, “It’s not about winning, It’s about Jesus.”
Radolph Baptist youth and praise team dressed as elves in red and white. Some held instruments.
Hayden Dyer said he wanted to participate because “I thought it would be a good opportunity for me, and I thought it would be fun.”
“I wanted to participate because this is my senior year in high school and it will probably be one of my last Christmases at home, so I thought it would be great to just go all out this year,” Kayla Epperson said.
Spectators enjoyed the lights and colors of the parade as it made its way down State Route 22.
They also tried to catch the candy thrown out into the crowd.
Local veterans served as the grand marshal for the event.
