Attending South Rowan Christmas Parade a tradition

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, December 2, 2009

By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
LANDIS ó In a sea of people who lined the streets for the South Rowan Christmas Parade, there was no missing Melanie Deal.
Her felt, multi-colored turkey headpiece could be spotted from any angle, and that’s the way she wanted it.
Deal, a counselor at Bostian Elementary School in China Grove, made certain her current and former students could see her. She told them she’d be wearing her headpiece. She sat on South Main Street in Landis in a lawn chair bundled in her blanket.
“I bought it for hat day at school,” she said.
Deal bought the can’t-miss hat at the Southern Christmas Show a few weeks ago and vowed to wear it during the parade.
“I’ll be here every year with it on,” she said laughing.
Many of her students participated in Tuesday’s parade. She told them she’d be looking for them. They told her they’d be looking for her, as well.
A native to the area, Deal has been attending the South Rowan Christmas Parade for years.
“It’s my hometown parade,” Deal said.
She attended this year with her daughter, Savannah, 12, her sister, niece and nephew.
Each year Kathy and Will Ritchie attend the parade, too. This year they brought their grandchildren, Brittany, 12, and her sister, Hope Ward, 2, of Concord.
The Ritchies, who live in China Grove, agreed they each like something different.
Brittany said she likes the floats and candy, while Will enjoys the bands.
Kathy said she enjoys the bands and watching the children get candy.
“We come out every year just to enjoy. The bands are really good,” Will said.
Zondra Boger surprised her daughter, Lydia, 3, by coming to the parade.
“It’s her first parade. She’s new to the whole concept,” the Salisbury resident said.
Lydia enjoyed the parade so much she didn’t want to leave. When the candy was tossed her way, Lydia rushed to pick it up. She grabbed her pieces and then turned around to tell her mother she liked that kind. Zondra placed each piece her daughter collected into a Ziplock bag.
Lydia said she liked the dancing and the music.
The parade is a traditional family outing for Mount Ulla resident Diane Larkin and her grandchildren.
“We do it every year. We just come out to enjoy and let the kids have fun,” she said.
The six children, ages 2 to 9, scrambled for the candy, each shouting Merry Christmas toward the parade floats.
Chico Hammond of Concord brought his two daughters, Alexia, 12, and Maleia, 7, to the parade to show support to a friend who was homecoming queen.
“It’s our first year. A friend has a daughter who is in the parade,” Chico said.
He said as long as his girls had fun, it was worth attending.
Alexia couldn’t think of any one thing she particularly liked about parades. Her sister, on the other hand, immediately recalled her favorite ó the snowman.
Maleia also liked running to gather up the candy, she said.
Cynthia Medlin has learned the ropes after attending many parades in the past ó bring your own bag.
As her grandchildren and nephew ran out to scoop up the tossed candy, they returned to Medlin to keep their goodies.
The Landis resident came to see many of her relatives, who are cheerleaders and JROTC members, march in the parade.
“The floats are so pretty. It makes me feel like a kid again,” she said.
Linda Mann of Rockwell has been attending the parade since her grandson, Adam, now 18, was younger. Her husband, Jerry, admits he doesn’t attend as much as his wife but seemed to like what he saw.
“It’s the main spirit of Christmas. If you don’t got that, then there’s no need to be here,” Jerry said.
Linda said she likes the bands.
“It was a good crowd. A nice parade,” Judge Host Gigi De Marcus-Bringle said.
There were 98 entries in this year’s parade.
The 2008 South Rowan Christmas Parade chairwoman was Jennifer Hauss.
The judges were Ken Deal of China Grove; Clai Martin of Salisbury; and Skip Wood of Salisbury.
This year’s parade winners are as follows:
– Best Musical Entry, Carson Band, No. 56.
– “I’ve Got Rhythm” (Movers/Dancers), Center Stage Dance, No. 38.
– “It’s Beginning To look A Lot Like Christmas,” Highest Praise FWC Music Ministries, No. 43.
– Most Creative Entry, New Hope Presbyterian Church, No. 24.
– Most Enthusiastic Participants, South Rowan Raiders third- and fourth-grade Youth Football League, No. 32.
– Children’s Delight, Santa, No. 98.
– Best Team or Organization Spirit (schools, Scouts, YMCA, clubs, etc.), Carson JROTC, No. 10C.
– Judges Special Recognition, Prime Energy/ Richard Locklear Attorney At Law Float with South Rowan Varsity Cheerleaders No. 21.
Winners can pick up trophies after Thanksgiving at Center Stage Dance Company, 150 S. Bostian St., China Grove (beside post office) Monday-Thursday 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.