The Shadow
HOT SPRINGS - Perhaps a little late, but Bath County residents gathered along Main Street in Hot Springs to view the 2009 Christmas Parade Saturday afternoon.
Delayed one week due to a winter storm, parade goers lined the streets to see the parade, which was sponsored by the Hot Springs Fire Department.
“The Hot Springs Fire Department would like to thank the community for their support, all the parade participants, and everyone who turned out to enjoy the parade,” parade chairman Clifford Williams said.
“It was very encouraging to see so many people make the effort even though we had to reschedule the parade due to weather conditions last week. We saw the Christmas spirit alive in Bath County,” he added.
The parade was led by Bath County Sheriff Larry Norfleet and by parade marshal Dr. James Redington.
Members of the Hot Springs Fire Department handed out a trailer load of Christmas stockings to children along the parade route.
Apparently making a special trip from the North Pole, Santa Claus was at the end of the parade riding atop the Hot Springs Fire Department ladder truck.
Parade winners were:
Best Overall: First and Citizens Bank.
Best Appearing High School Band: Bath County High School.
First Place Float: Gristmill Square.
Second Place Float: Big Country 101 of Covington.
Best Mannered Horse: Paul Keyser. Second place: Angie Lindsay.
Best Appearing Farm Tractor: Charles “Tommy” Smith.
First Place Four Wheeler: Kayla Linsday.
First Place Adult Novelty: Clifton Forge Lions Club Whistlers.
Second Place Novelty: Miss Bath County winners Kendall Woodzell and Haley Woodzell.
First Place Youth Novelty: Bath County 4-H Club.
First Place Dancing or Drilling: Bath Animal Welfare Foundation. Second place dancing or Drilling: Highland County Maple Queen Mariam Foster.
First Place Antique Car: Jesse Thompson.
First Place Antique Truck: James “Cheeze Claus” Smith. Second place: Moe’s Auto, Jeffrey Hamilton.
First Place Classic Vehicle: Frankie Campbell’s 1941 Ford. Second place: James Carpenter.
First Place Fire Truck: Bolar Fire Department. Second place: Burnsville Fire Department.
First Place Decorated Fire Truck: Millboro Fire Department. Second place: Bolar Fire Department.
Best Appearing Fire Truck: Falling Spring Fire Department.
Longest Traveled Fire Truck: Sharon Fire Department.
First Place Decorated Rescue Squad: Burnsville Rescue Squad.
First Place Decorated Rescue Vehicle: Millboro Area Rescue Squad.
Best Miscellaneous Award: Jay Ford. Third place Miscellaneous Award: VFW Post 4204; Bath County Ambulance Service.
Parade participants included:
Bath Animal Welfare Foundation, Falling Spring Elementary, Hot Springs Fire Department, WCHG Coaches Corner, 220 South Band, Bath County Collision Center, Bath County Logo Wear, Virginia Division of Forestry and Smokey the Bear, Highland Maple Queen Mariam Foster, Sharon Fire Department with Sparky the Fire Dog, and Bolar Fire Department.
James “Cheeze Claus” Smith, First and Citizens Bank, Millboro Area Rescue Squad, Big Al with Big Country 101 and Mix 104, Jason’s Pizza, New Hope Family Worship and Outreach, Burnsville Rescue Squad, Millboro Fire Department, Junior Miss Bath County Kendall Woodzell and Miss Bath County Haley Woodzell, and VFW Post 4204 of Hot Springs.
Bath County Trottin Horseshoes 4-H Club, Gristmill Square, Charles Smith and his 1952 Ford 8N tractor, Clifton Forge Lions Club Whistlers, Falling Spring Fire Department, Bath Community Ambulance Service, Little Miss and Master Highland, Carly Thomas and Dakota Ritchie, and Hot Springs Rescue Squad.
