The Town of Iron Gate’s Christmas Parade sponsored by the Iron Gate Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad entertained a large crowd along Commercial Avenue on Sat., Dec. 10.
Riding the float with Santa, Willy Wonka (Jerry Belcher) threw candy to children gathered along the parade route while Santa (David Hipes) waved from his sleigh and wished everyone a merry Christmas.
Winners of the various categories were awarded their trophies and cash prizes at the Iron Gate Fire Department and Rescue Squad’s Community Center following the parade.
Willie Wonka and Santa posed with children for photographs while the judges were busy determining the winners.
Chris Fisher, the coordinator of the event who was using a handheld microphone, read the names of the various winners while Iron Gate Mayor-Elect Gary Craig handed out the trophies.
“Fire Department Category A Trophy” was won by the Virginia Department of Forestry, Millboro, and “Fire Department Category B” was won by Selma with Sharon and Clifton Forge placing second and third respectively.
The “Rescue Squad Award” was garnered by Clifton Forge with Boiling Springs finishing in second place.
As for the “Antique Fire Engine Award,” the Brewbaker Family took home the trophy.
Two of the three trophies, first and second for “Horses,” was awarded to the Bordierneer Riding Club, and the Campbell Family took home the third-place trophy.
Antique cars were divided into two categories, those manufactured from 1909 through 1965 and those produced from 1966 to 1995.
Mike Dobbs won the first-place trophy for those competing in the oldest category, and the Plecker Family and Nathan Measpile finished second and third respectively.
Twig Bush had the winning entry for the newer antique cars, and Kelly Walker and Reynolds Fischer placed second and third respectively to take home trophies.
As for the “Cars Award,” Kenny Nicely garnered the top trophy. Chris Rohr won second place, and Moe Tingler finished in third place.
“The Community Service Award” went to Area 18 Special Olympics, and the “Most Christmas Spirit Award” was awarded to Boiling Springs Fire & Rescue.
In the “Youth Category,” GPS—819 Co. Dance took first place, and the Clifton Forge Little League and Covington Highlighters placed second and third respectively.
Rebels of Rhythm won first place in the “Marching” category, and the Alleghany Humane Society finished second. Lewis Gale Hospital-Alleghany placed third.
The “Judges Choice Award” went to Alleghany High School’s FFA. The YMCA Day Care took home the second-place trophy, and Valley View Pets was awarded third place.
Bobby Broughman won the “Novelty Floats Award” with Alleghany Social Services and AHS Noteworthy taking second and third places in that order.
The Shriners won the “Misc. Award” with Highlands Media Group and Dave Haggerty placing second and third respectively.
In the “Race 4 X 4” category, Cheeze Smith took the top award with Kedi Anglin, second place; and Charlie Mick, third place; taking home trophies as well.
ANC/Simmons Auto won the “Commercial Unit” category, and Steven Foster placed second with Outlaw Landscaping finishing third.
In the “Religious Award” category, the First Assembly of God won, and CAYA Ministries placed second, both located in the Town of Clifton Forge.
The “Most Comical Award” went to William Deisher/Conner Fisher.
The Boiling Springs Rescue Squad and the Boiling Springs Fire Department took home a trophy each for being the entries with the “Largest District.”
Motors revved and children squealed with glee as they picked up wrapped candy and lollipops that were tossed by those riding the floats and by some of the marchers in the parade who were carrying bags of treats to distribute.
A few of the many children were able to nab teddy bears which were tossed from one parade entry as well, and several were treated with the chance to pet the horses as their riders paused along the parade route to oblige them.
The theme of the parade was “A Willy Wonka Sort of Christmas,” and it was sponsored by the Town of Iron Gate along with the Iron Gate Fire Department and Rescue Squad.
Out-going Iron Gate Mayor Charles “Chuck” Unroe was one of the marchers while Clifton Forge Mayor Jeff Irvine drove a vehicle in the parade. It may be Unroe’s last Christmas Parade as mayor of Iron Gate since he chose not to run for reelection in order to focus on being Town Manager of Clifton Forge.
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