The Shadow
HOT SPRINGS — Alleghany Highlands residents who ventured to Hot Springs Saturday afternoon, got to experience a “Small-Town Christmas,” as they witnessed the 2019 edition of the Hot Springs Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Hot Springs Volunteer Fire Department.
To open the parade, the colors of the United States of America and the commonwealth of Virginia were presented by members of Hot Springs VFW Post No. 4204.
The Bath County High School Marching Band followed, entertaining the crowd by playing a variety of classic Christmas songs.
A?little later in the parade, the 2019 Bath County Christmas Mother Beth Neff waved to parade-attendees in downtown Hot Springs.
The first of the emergency medical services vehicles to go through was the hometown fire department of Hot Springs.
A little later in the parade, the Millboro Area Rescue Squad, also known as M.A.R.S., also entertained the crowd when the members started a siren battle with the other fire departments and rescue squads that participated in the parade.
Another parade entrant that entertained the crowd was the entry from a company called Hand Made Knives. The individuals on that float all depicted characters from the film, “A Christmas Story.”
Toward the end of the parade, Bath County Sheriff Robert Plecker and his staff greeted those in attendance and passed out candy.
The parade came to a close with members of the Hot Springs Fire Department continuing the tradition of handing out fruit bags to those in attendance with Santa Claus close behind.
The other parade entrants were:
— Dogs, Michel’s Pizza, Miss Celebrations USA?National Royalty Monroe Hill, Rockbridge Regional Library System, Summit Community Bank, Antique Autos, Mountain Grove Fire Department, Lingo Networks, MGW, Bath Community Physicians Group, 2019 Tiny Miss Bath County Bentley Rexrode, Kars Unlimited, John Deere Tractor, Rockingham Redi Mix, 2019 Jr. Miss Bath County Chelsea McAllister, 2019 Miss Bath County Erin Hamilton, Bolar Fire Department and Rescue Squad, 2019 Little Miss Bath County Elin Essex, Falling Spring Fire Department, Iron Gate Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, BARC, Altec, Burnsville Fire Department, Goshen Rescue Squad, Virginia Department of Forestry with Smokey the Bear, Donkey Float.
The winning parade entrants were:
— Best Appearing Band: Bath County High School Marching Band;
— First Place Sports Car: Mo Tingler;
— First Place Truck: Tom Plecker;
— First Place Antique Vehicle: Frankie Campbell;
— First Place Adult Novelty: Home Oil;
— Second Place Adult Novelty: Rockingham Redi Mix;
— First Place Youth Novelty: Bath Community Physicians Group;
— Second Place Youth Novelty: 2019 Little Miss Bath County Elin Essex;
— First Place Decorated Float: Bath Community Physicians Group;
— Second Place Decorated Float: Hairstyling Shop;
— Gentlest Horse: Donkey, courtesy of Judy England;
— Best Mannered Dog: Pat Haynes of Barnhill Farms;
— Best Appearing Farm Tractor: Karen Williams;
— Best Appearing 4-Wheeler: Reaghan Pritt;
— Motorcycle: Kennedy Pritt;
— Best Appearing Rescue Squad: Millboro Area Rescue Squad — Millboro Area Rescue Squad (M.A.R.S.);
— Best Appearing Fire Truck: Millboro Fire Department;
— Longest Distance Traveled (Fire Truck): Iron Gate Volunteer Fire Department;
— Best Overall: Summit Community Bank.
Parade coordinator Janet Bryan was pleased with how the parade turned out.
“We’re really happy to see a big turnout. The weather was much nicer than it was last year. We hope that everyone just has a great time and happy holidays,” Bryan said.
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Summit Community Bank won the award for Best Overall Float during the annual Hot Springs Christmas parade which was held Saturday afternoon. The theme for this year’s parade was “Small-Town Christmas.” (Gavin Dressler Photo)
