‘Magnificent’ weather leads to ‘wonderful’ parade
Published 9:28 am Tuesday, December 13, 2016
- Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus wave to festival goers during the 2016 Christmas Parade in Downtown Vicksburg on Saturday.
Danny Hearn Trucking took the title of best in show as Vicksburg Main Street’s Downtown Christmas Parade of Lights rolled down Washington Street Saturday night.
“We had 48 floats and six bands, participating; all of our local bands got a chance to participate. Changing the date helped them to get the parade in their schedule,” said Main Street director Kim Hopkins, who added between 4,300 and 4,500 people lined the route from the parade’s start at Belmont Street and along Washington Street to watch the parade.
The parade was scheduled to roll Dec. 3, but the threat of heavy rains forced parade officials to postpone the event one week. There were no weather-related problems Saturday.
“The weather was magnificent,” Hopkins said. “It was a lot warmer than we anticipated; we were surprised at that. It was wonderful. All the floats were magnificent, all the participants were excited and full of the Christmas spirit and had a wonderful time. It was a great parade.”
Other parade participants receiving awards included:
• Best in Business: Loving Hearts Learning Center.
• Best non-profit: Cub Scout Pack 193.
• Best Theme: McRaven Tour Home.
• Most Original: South Park Elementary.
• Most Enthusiastic: Big Blue Band.
• Most Creative: Gymsouth!