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CHINA GROVE — The Jolly Ol’ Elf from the North Pole felt right at home when he rode along Main Street late Tuesday.
By the time he arrived in China Grove, the thermometer had dipped below freezing. Blustery winds whipped and whirled.
Huge crowds greeted the Southern Rowan Christmas Parade at its start in Landis.
Under a bright sun, children ignored the chill to enjoy cotton candy and wait for the parade units to toss more candy along the route.
In China Grove, the crowd was a bit thinner and considerably colder. Mounds of blankets along Main Street came to life with the blasts from fire trucks.
Heads popped out from under blankets, followed by hands and arms, waving and reaching for candy.
Many chose to watch from the warmth of their vehicles, finding spots in parking lots and converting the railroad right of way into a large parking lot.
Nine-year-old Christopher Beaver has been to the parade before. This year, he was wrapped in a blanket, waiting with his grandmother, Susie Page. He was looking for friends from Knollwood Elementary School.
His favorite part of the parade: all of the police cars.
Many of the hundreds gathered near Rowan Bank watched the temperature on the outside display slowly move from 42 downward.
Telia Seaford, along with her son, Joshua Eddinger, and her mother, Doris Waugh, waited at the China Grove Roller Mill. Seaford said it was the chilliest parade she could remember in a while. A vast change from last year’s 70 degrees, when many wore shorts and T-shirts.
Members of the Historical Society of South Rowan sold hot chocolate and apple cider.
While folks were looking for Santa, the China Grove Board of Aldermen’s entry just about stole the show.
Mayor JosephSloop was at the wheel of his old Chevrolet pickup while the “Big Squirrel Hunt” went on in back.
Aldermen spoofed the town’s continuing squirrel problems and spreading fame as the squirrel capital of Rowan County.
Alderman Vernon Johnson dressed in camouflage and carried a shotgun. One of his companions was a large gray squirrel, also known as Butch Bivens.
As the parade moved along Main Street, Landis Alderman Dennis Brown showed off his pitching skills, tossing candy to outstretched hands.
In Landis, there was at least one sour note. A woman standing along the route held up a sign calling for a recall election for the mayor and board of aldermen.
Rowan commissioners, who had worried about freezing while sitting on the back of a firetruck, found a partial solution. They stood up and kept moving.
Chairman Newton Cohen scampered around the back of the truck looking for pieces of candy to toss to children.
Sheriff George Wilhelm and several other officers joined the host of county and municipal officials.
The South Rowan Marching Band and groups decked out in Santa hats set the stage for the arrival of the holidays.
Enochville, Bostian Heights and China Grove firetrucks blasted and blared as Santa arrived.
And the green flag fell on the race to get home.
China Grove’s new snowflake Christmas lights provided a holiday sparkle.
Prior to the parade, officials from various groups which participated in getting the new lights joined for a ceremony at the China Grove Roller Mill.
The group lit the Roller Mill trees and dedicated the new Christmas lights. Participants included Historical Society President Rev. Edward Daniel, Board of Trade President Jerry Heglar, Appearance Commission Chairwoman Jamima DeMarcus and Mayor Joseph Sloop.
Barbara Doby, head of the Roller Mill restoration project, spoke briefly. Doby noted that the mill is continuing to serve as the hub of the community, much the same as it did more than 100 years ago.
During the parade, judges carefully scanned floats and various other entries to pick the winners in 14 categories.
Following are the first and second place winners in order in each category:
Most Outstanding Entry — Mikey’s One Stop/Shear Vanity float; F&M Bank/Brooke & Brooke Attorneys.
Best Use of Professional Float — Cuts by Sifford/A Perfect Dress; Westside Free Tutoring.
Best Non-Professional Business Float — Cheerwine antique car; Sidekick Karate.
Best Non-Professional / Non-Business Float — First Methodist Girl Scout Troops; Rowan Voiture Chapter 115.
Best Holiday Music — First United Methodist Church China Grove Joyous Bells; Highest Praise Kid’s Church.
Best Religious Entry — New Hope Presbyterian Church; Mount Moriah Fellowship of Lutheran Youth.
Most Holiday Spirit — Rick Locklear/John Drye Insurance Agency float with South Rowan Cheerleaders; Porky’s Bar-B-Q float.
Most Original Creative Entry — China Grove Aldermen and Mayor with “Hunting for ‘Big’ Squirrel in China Grove.
Best Dance Group — Southern Style Cloggers.
Best Drill Team — South Rowan Junior ROTC.
Best Band — South Rowan High School.
Judge’s Choice (three trophies) — Santa Claus, Southern Rowan Kids, South Rowan Medical Mall/South Rowan Family Practice.
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