Parades countywide ring in Christmas season
Penny Roon is a veteran of the parade circuit.
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Roon, an Evans resident, has camped out along the Martinez Christmas Parade for several years. First, she was there to watch her daughter, Erin, march with the Evans High School band, and now she shows up to cheer for her younger daughter, Katie.
"She was very excited," Roon said about Katie's debut appearance marching with the Evans High band in the annual parade. "We come here every year."
The Merchants Association of Columbia County's parade drew 120 participants Sunday afternoon. Along Washington Road in Martinez, spectators lined the street.
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Hot chocolate was served in front of the Grovetown Christmas tree after the lighting ceremony.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Columbia County Commissioner Lee Anderson led off the Grovetown Christmas Parade on Saturday. It was Anderson's first experience as a parade participant, and he said he would love to do it again.
"I was very honored that they asked me," he said. "I'd be more than happy to be back again next year."
With a collection of floats, bands, dance teams and scout troops, the Grovetown Parade boasted more than 70 entries this year.
Though many spectators came for the sake of holiday spirit, David Reese brought his daughter Brianna, 3, for a more personal reason.
"Last year, we came to the parade on her birthday, so she thinks this is her parade," he said. "For as long as she's old enough to believe it, I'm going to keep letting her think that."