The Shadow
IRON GATE - Normally quiet Commerce Avenue in Iron Gate came alive Saturday afternoon as 100 entries participated in the annual Iron Gate Christmas parade.
Parade marshals were James and Lilly Shires. James Shires served as mayor and a member of Iron Gate Town Council; Lilly Shires served as postmaster for Iron Gate and was employed by the post office for 42 years.
The special guest at the parade was Natasha Ryan, news anchor at WDBJ-7 in Roanoke.
Parade coordinator Chris Fisher said, “The parade was a huge success, as is all of the area’s Christmas parades throughout the Highlands.”
The parade was sponsored by the town of Iron Gate and the Iron Gate Fire Department.
Richard Erskine led the parade, immediately followed by the Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard.
At the end of the procession, Santa Claus made an appearance and then heard the children’s Christmas wishes.
Winners of the parade were:
Novelty floats: First place, CVS Pharmacy, Clifton Forge; second place, Clifton Middle School Cheerleaders; third place, James “Cheeze Claus” Smith.
Religious floats: First place, Iron Gate Advent Christian Church; second place, Oak Hill Bible Church.
Scouts: First place, Cub Scout Pack 2; second place, Girl Scout Troop 406; third place, Cub Scout pack 82.
Marching units: First place, Rebels of Rhythm; second place, Rhinestone Rockers; third place, Kountry Kickers.
Judge’s choice: First place, Covington Highlighters and Tiny Tots; second place, Tri-County Cloggers; third place, Katelyn Kern’s Snoopy novelty entry.
Fire department traveling the longest distance: Craigsville Volunteer Fire Department.
Rescue squad traveling the most distance: Glasgow Rescue Squad.
Antique fire engines: First place, Selma Volunteer Fire Department; second place, the Canterbury family’s Greenbrier Hotel engine; third place, Sid Brewbaker.
Category A fire departments: First place, Glen Wilton Fire Department; second place, Millboro Fire Department; third place, Buchanan Fire Department.
Category B fire departments: First place, Clifton Forge Fire Department; second place, Sharon Fire Department; third place, Boiling Springs Fire Department.
Rescue squads: First place, Millboro Area Rescue Squad; second place, Clifton Forge Rescue Squad.
Motorcycles: First place, Jeff Irvine; second place, Tim Helms; third place, Cody Prior.
Wreckers: First place, Homer’s Parts and Accessories; second place Shadtree Towing.
Tractors: First place, Mikel Curry; second place, Brady Gordon; third place, Keaton Fisher.
Antique cars 1900-1955: first place, Charlie Mick and his 1927 Ford; second place, Mack Higgins and his 1934 Ford; Richard and Bob Shull, 1935 Ford.
Antique cars 1956-1983: First place, Dickie Engelman and his 1956 Chevrolet; second place, David Halsey and his 1977 Corvette; and Jeff Crawford and his 1978 Chevrolet truck.
Most comical entry: Ricky Hostetter as the Lower Jackson River Waste Water Treatment Queen.
Judge’s choice trophy: William Deisher with his dogs Triscuit, Biscuit and Faith.
Modern vehicles: First place, Arthur Gail Totten with his 2006 Mazda Limited; second place, Jerry Hostetter and his 2001 Chrysler; third place, David Davis and his 1998 Mustang.
Horses: First place, Tangie Dressler; second place, Tiffany Dame; third place, Connie Craft.
Race cars: First place, Michael Simmons; second place, Shawn Smith; third place, Shawn Smith.
Other entries in the parade were:
Iron Gate Mayor Allan Williams, Iron Gate Police Chief Brad Hodge; Alleghany County Sheriff Kevin Hall; Virginia State Police; Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office; Clifton Forge Police Department; and Covington Police Department.
Southbound Trio; Clifton Forge VFW Post; Bank of Botetourt; Miss Fall Foliage Anna Wilson; 2009 Alleghany Highlands Christmas Mother Brenda Lindsay; Toys for Tots; Covington High School Band; Gavin Boyd on a mini-bike; Chris Sorrels on a mini-bike; James “Slick” Mays and his 1969 Camaro; Bob Shull and his 1966 Mustang; James Bush Sr. and his 1958 Ford; Bill Gadd and his 1958 Edsel station wagon; and Jason Burkholder and his 1974 Duster.
Ron Leichter and his 1969 Chevelle; Kars Unlimited; Ben Brown, novelty unit; Dixie Gas and Oil, novelty unit; Big Country 101 Alan “Big Al” Howard and Mix 104’s Jonathan Brackman; Morgan Curry, tractor; Debbie Curry, tractor; Queen for a Cause Suzanne Adcock; Alleghany High School Band and Alleghany High School Choir.
Clifton Forge Lions Whistlers; 2009 March of Dimes Ambassador Koedi Anglin; horse entries Muffin Morris, Rachel Jones, Nikki Webb, Kevin Walton, Squeak Harlow and Mark Cline; Iron Gate Fire Department and Iron Gate First Responders.
Iron Gate’s parade was the third Christmas parade to be held in the Alleghany Highlands. Millboro’s Christmas parade was held later Saturday afternoon.
Bath County’s Christmas parade will be held Saturday, beginning at 2 p.m.
