A Holly, Jolly Christmas Parade

Photos by Joey Meredith (a real photographer) and Bill Rice, Jr

And from Troy, Alabama … Merry Christmas tonight! (Photo: Joey Meredith).

By Bill Rice, Jr.

A holly jolly time was had by all Monday night on the Square in beautiful and festive downtown Troy at the annual Christmas Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting.

Approximately 175 units participated in the parade, including several units from outside Troy and Pike County. Several thousands parade watchers joined the festivities, which extended for over an hour.

The weather - chilly but not frigid - was perfect for a Christmas Parade.

The usual elf suspects included Little and Big Beauty Pageant Queens, Scout troops, marching bands, cheerleaders, dance groups, local all-star soccer teams (carrying big state tournament trophies and kicking soccer balls) and miscellaneous school groups and businesses.

My Favorite Parade Photo is always “child on Dad’s shoulders.” Here, Dad is Kirk Eigenberg with son Rowan. (Photo/BR).

Or … Daughter in Dad’s Lap. Dad is CHHS baseball coach Chase Smartt with daughter Charlie. (Photo/BR)

Several floats were eye-openers. I particularly liked the Waffle House float and Max Credit Union’s “Bubble” Float.

“Scrambled with grits, hash browns, bacon and a waffle on the side, please.” (Photo/JM)

There was also an impressive collection of tractors and a couple of cowboys on horseback.

They’ll get carrots on Christmas morning! (Photo/BR)

My mother-in-law gets nervous when the Shriners’ Go Kart drivers display their daredevil talents, but, as usual, nobody was hurt by this professional display of stunt driving.

When I was growing up, I begged my father or Santa for a go-cart (Photo by JM)

The most experienced and talented musicians, the members of the Troy University Sound of the South marching band, stole the show in the music category, performing a pitch-perfect medley of Christmas classics.

The gift of music from The Sound of the South. (Photo/JM)

After the parade, many Square visitors stuck around for the lighting of downtown’s beautiful Christmas tree with scores of children getting a picture with Santa himself, who - per tradition - ended the parade from a perch high on the carriage of a City of Troy fire truck.

My third grade son, Jack, says that the real Santa has “mascot” Santa’s who attend parades and photo ops. Troy’s mascot Santa looks like the real thing to me. (Photo by Joey Meredith)

As a gift to Troy Citizen readers, I secured permission from a real and talented photographer - Joey Meredith, the official photographer of Troy University - to publish many of his wonderful photos.

Using my early Christmas present, an I-phone 16 cell phone camera, I also snapped many photos.

Thank you to everyone who has made this annual event the official kickoff of the Christmas season in Troy and Pike County.

Here’s hoping this is the best Christmas ever. As always, The Troy Citizen encourages citizens to “shop local” whenever you can!

• Bill Rice, Jr.

The 2A State Champion Pike Liberal Arts Patriots cheerleaders spread some cheer. (Photo by Joey Meredith).

Max Credit Union had a very pretty float. (Photo by BR)

It’s a tradition for Holden Parker (back center with his hand in the air) to have his birthday party at B Graves restaurant during the parade. (Photo by BR)

Sandy Boutwell, an old friend, is as beautiful as ever … with Lexi Sexton, Kimber Davis and JD Plunkett. (Photo by BR)

Post-card pretty! Thank you for the great photos, Joey Meredith.

(A perfect gift for anyone who loves Troy, Alabama is a subscription to The Troy Citizen, Alabama’s first Substack newspaper. These gifts can actually be given for free but the publisher appreciates the “gift” of paid subscriptions as well!)

Bonus Christmas Parade Photos …

My CHHS Class of ’83 long-time friend Angi Bullard Oakes (right) attended with family members. (Photo /BR)

This Santa was sponsored by the popular Facebook Group “Check on your PPL” - Troy chapter. I appreciate this important Facebook Group running so many of my Troy Citizen articles! (Photo by JM).

It would be a Blue Christmas if the CHHS Blue Machine marching band wasn’t providing entertainment in the Christmas Parade. (Photo/JM)

Maybe the biggest float was the Cattlemen and Cattlewomen’s big cow. “Beef, it’s what’s for Christmas!” (Photo/JM).

The CHMS cheerleaders (and Chuckie) are in the house! (Photo/JM)

Troy Mayor Jason Reeves was dressed appropriately for the chilly weather. (Photo/JM)

Students at Covenant Christian School were all smiles and reminded us of the Reason for the Season. (Photo/JM)

The crowd was four rows deep in front of Heritage Eighteen Forty Three. Remember: “Shop local if you can!” (Photo/BR)

Miss Pike county McKinley Murray and Little Miss Pike County Ivey Webb, who Joey photographed mid-blink.

Mother Shelby Prince and baby Riley, enjoying perhaps her first Christmas. (Photo/BR)

Above we showed Dad Chase Smartt with daughter Charlie. Before we snapped that photo, grandmother Debbie Smartt enjoyed some lap/snuggle time with her granddaughter. (Photo/BR)

The banner tells me this is Pack 41 from Troy! (Photo/BR).

You simply can’t have a Christmas Parade without this jolly man - who is not on his sleigh but is riding on Ladder 1 of the TFD. (Photo/JM).

The first picture I snapped. Sorry, I didn’t get everyone’s names. (Photo/BR).

Mrs. Bill Stone with daughter Lauren Cole and grandson Whitt Cole. (Photo/BR)

Jeanna Barnes, the owner of BSweet Dessert Boutique on North Three Notch Street just off the Square, stayed busy serving home-made hot chocolate and myriad bakery treats. Our family enjoyed the hot chocolate and a new addition to the menu- pigs in a blanket. (Photo/BR).

The Parade featured a fantastic collection of really cool tractors. (Photo/JM).

Thank you to employees of City of Troy utilities, who put up most of the lights and Christmas decorations in downtown Troy. (Photo/BR)

And that’s all, folks!