Morning View Baptist Church's entry into the float competition, with its toy train sharing a message of love, charity and peace, earned first place in the church category of the Rockmart Christmas Parade Friday night. (Jeremy Stewart/thepolkfishwrap.com)
Making their return appearance in Friday's Rockmart Christmas Parade were the Budweiser Clydesdales as they pulled the company's iconic wagon down Marble Street. (Jeremy Stewart/thepolkfishwrap.com)
Santa Claus rings in the holiday season as he rides along the parade route with Mrs. Claus in his sleigh. (Jeremy Stewart/thepolkfishwrap.com)
Children watched cautiously as the massive frames of the Budweiser Clydesdales made an appearance near the front of the parade and paused every few yards for people to get a better look at the famous animals.
A total of four bands delighted crowds with holiday tunes throughout the procession as both the Rockmart middle and high school bands were joined by their Cedartown counterparts.
And of course the parade reached its climax as Jolly Old Saint Nick himself wished everyone a Merry Christmas and officially kicked off the holiday season in Rockmart.
Santa Claus, along with Mrs. Claus, made their way to the front of the Polk County Chamber of Commerce office on Marble Street and greeted children.
Floats of all shapes and sizes rolled down Marble Street, hoping to best represent this year's theme, "The Wonder of Christmas", and wow the judges in order to get one of the top three places.
"It is very exciting," said Leigh Hulsey, one of the parade organizers. "We had more floats than I expected sign up this year."
Parade officials said that 20 floats entered the competition, which awarded cash prizes to the top three floats in both the church category and the schools and civic groups category.
Editor's note: A slideshow with additional photos from the Rockmart Christmas parade is available on the front page of this website.
Morning View Baptist Church's adult group float took first place in the church category and took home the $500 award while the church's youth won third place and $200. Aragon United Methodist Church was second and won $300.
For the school and civic group category, Polk County Relay for Life was first followed by Girl Scout Troop 11657 and the Eastside Junior Beta Club.
Country musician Colt Chambers won the commercial float category and received a prize of $300.
Hulsey said more than 40 groups participated in this year's parade.
Post a Comment