LA GRANGE — On a day when temperatures barely made it above 45 degrees, Lenoir County residents bundled up to enjoy the annual La Grange Christmas parade.
La Grange Chamber of Commerce Director Lavaron Howell said this year’s parade was the largest ever, with 162 organizations signing up to participate. She said it’s a great event for all involved.
“It brings the community together. People of all ages really enjoy coming to the parade,” she said.
For some residents, like Iris Best of La Grange, the parade has become an annual event. Best said she always enjoys coming out to the parade.
“It’s just so beautiful with all of the different colors, parade floats and kids smiling,” she said.
For others, like Hunter Stanley, 4, Sunday’s parade marked a first-time experience. He said he enjoyed the event, especially when Santa Clause made an appearance.
“I liked seeing Santa because he’s very nice,” he said
In addition to the man in the red suit, organizations from across the area marched, road on floats or in cars. Bands from E.B. Frink Middle School, Kinston High School and North Lenoir High School played Christmas songs as they marched.
The Grinch and mascots from Piggly Wiggly and Chick-fil-A greeted kids and adults alike along the parade route. Representatives from various government entities around the county drove by in a variety of vehicles.
Also on display was a gigantic shopping cart, brought to the parade by Got To Be N.C., and mini-rigs driven by members of the Wayne Shrine Club.
Debbie Chriswell said for her, the parade is a sign the holidays are approaching.
“It’s the kickoff to the holiday season,” she said.
Payton Malone, 5, said she enjoyed the festivities.
“I liked seeing the cheerleaders. I also like getting candy that people threw from the floats,” she said.
Noah Clark can be reached at 252-559-1073 or Noah.Clark@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at @nclark763.
Breakout box
Want to go to a parade?
Here are the days and times for area Christmas parades. Hookerton will not have a parade, but the time posted for the town is for its annual tree-lighting ceremony.
Emerald Isle: Saturday at 3 p.m.
Pink Hill: Sunday at 2 p.m.
Trenton: Sunday at 2 p.m.
Hookerton: Monday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m.
Pollocksville: Friday, Dec. 6 at 5 p.m.
Maysville: Saturday, Dec. 7 at 10 a.m.
Greenville: Saturday, Dec. 7 at 10:30 a.m.
Snow Hill: Saturday, Dec. 7 at 2 p.m.
New Bern: Saturday, Dec. 7 at 3 p.m.
Goldsboro: Saturday, Dec. 7 at 4 p.m.
Wilson: Saturday, Dec. 7 at 4 p.m.
Walstonburg: Sunday, Dec. 8 at 3 p.m.
Kinston: Saturday, Dec. 14 at 10 a.m.
Havelock: Saturday, Dec. 21 at 2:30 p.m.
Breakout Box 2
Visit Kinston.com to see a photo album from Sunday’s La Grange Christmas Parade.