By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
Organizers for the Southern Rowan Christmas Parade tout this year as the biggest.
There are new floats, new decorations throughout town and of course there is always candy, said Meredith Bare.
Bare, of Landis, is organizing this year’s parade again along with Jennifer Ritchie, of China Grove.
The parade is Tuesday and begins this year in Landis at 3:30 p.m. then moves at 4:30 p.m. to China Grove.
“This year is the biggest parade we have ever had. It’s a good hometown tradition that everyone enjoys,” Bare said.
One of this year’s new float entries is from Preschool of the Arts whose students will create artwork while riding down the street.
Another new addition to the parade is Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital at Carolinas Medical Center as well as the South Rowan Athletic float.
Returning this year is the Oasis Steel Drum Band. Bare said the group is always a crowd-pleaser.
Bare said she and the parade committee are thankful to the people who continue to support the parade.
The following is the Southern Rowan Christmas parade line-up:
– Landis Police, two units
– China Grove Police, two units
– Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, three units
– Rowan County Rescue Squad Inc., two units
– Carson High School Drama Club.
– South Rowan Army JROTC
– Jeff Gordon’s Childrens Hospital
– Register of Deeds, John Brindle
– Judge Marshall Bickett
– Landis Fire Department, two units
– Landis Public Power, three units
– Landis aldermen and mayor
– Pre-school of the Arts at the Park, Bill Reames
– Rowan County Commissioners
– China Grove Town Council
– North Carolina Rep. Fred Steen
– Clerk of Court Jeff Barger
– Rowan County Republican Party
– South Rowan Homecoming Queen, Kayla Morrow
– Carson Homecoming king and queen
– Carson High School Marching Band
– Carson High School Junior Varsity cheerleaders
– Boogerwoods for the cure of cystic fibrosis
– JR Ritchie Electric and a Perfect Dress, Carson High School varsity
– Carson Cougars YFL, 3rd and 4th grade cheerleaders
– Carson Dance Club
– Jesse C. Carson FCCLA
– Rowan County Relay for Life
– Girl Scout Troop 456
– Miss Rowan County (4-year-old) Gracie Burgess
– Piedmont Cheerwine, two units
– Price Pharmacy
– Carson Cougars YFL, 5th and 6th grader
– Orange and Blue crew, Carson High
– Girl Scouts Junior Troop 926
– Carson Cougars YSL, 3rd and 4th team
– Carson Holiday Queen
– Miss American Legion Veteran Queen 146, Anne Mabry
– Landis American Legion Post 146 Commander, Erik Culbertson
– Salon Arabella
– Brothers of the Third Wheel, four units
– F&M Bank and Gary’s Barbecue
– Home Instead Senior Care, two units
– Center Stage Dance Company, two units
– Faith Farm Equipment, Salisbury
– Rowan Home School Association
– Correll for Sheriff
– Legion Post 185 Commander, William Albert “Wild Bill” Corriher
– Captains Galley and Jr Ritchie Electric, China Grove Middle School Cheerleaders
– Bostian Heights Fire Department
– Wachovia Bank/Wells Fargo Company
– Corriher-Lipe Middle School cheerleaders and softball team
– Concordia Girl Scouts
– South Rowan Alumni Association, two units
– South Rowan Marching Band
– Attorney Rick Locklear and Patterson Farms, South Rowan High School Varsity cheerleaders
– Humane Society of Rowan County
– Miss Merry Christmas 2009, Shelby Nunn
– South Rowan High School FCCLA
– State Farm Insurance, Mary Beth Ballantine
– South Rowan FFA
– South Rowan JROTC Beauty Queen
– South Rowan HOSA
– Prime Energy Inc. and Lee Martin PA, South Rowan Junior Varsity Cheerleaders
– Dimension Dance Arts
– West 22nd Street Head Start
– YFL South Rowan Raiders, 5th and 6th graders
– Oasis Steel Drum Band
– American Legion Post 185 Beauty Queen, Janeth Rodgriguez
– Race City Auto Parts
– Mane Zone
– South Rowan Varsity athletes
– International Miss North Carolina Tourism 2009-2010
– Rowan Regional Medical Center
– Sidekick Karate
– Southern Style Cloggers
– Brandy Cook District Attorney 2010
– First Free Will Baptist Church
– Stories-To-Go Bookmobile
– Rowan County 40 & 8 antique train engine
– Voices of Praise ó Winter Wonderland
– Highest Praise Kids Church
– Dail and Ellie Pharris
– Mt. Zion Cub Scout Pack 301
– Legion Post 185 Queen Crystal Clark
– BSA Troop 328
– Miss Rowan County Veteran Queen Courtney Cress
– Wrap It Up
– Main Street Family Practice and Porky’s Barbecue
– Ebenezer Lutheran Church Cub Scout Pack 328
– Smart Start Rowan
– Rowan County Fire Marshals
– China Grove Fire Department, four units
– Santa Claus