The Shadow
IRON GATE, Va. (VR) – The Iron Gate community stepped into the holiday spotlight with a spirited Christmas parade Saturday featuring a playful Ghostbusters Christmas theme that blended nostalgia, humor, and hometown pride. Across the town, spectators lined the route as first responders, civic groups, churches, youth teams, and local businesses showcased decorated vehicles, themed floats, and a series of charming nods to the beloved 1984 film franchise.
The Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office led the procession, setting a lighthearted tone with a crowd-pleasing twist: “the Grinch,” clad in black-and-white stripes, rode under mock arrest as part of a festive bit of community service — tossing candy to children as cheers followed along the route. The sheriff’s tactical unit followed, and the display made way for a series of veteran and civic entries, including the local VFW with the American flag proudly presented from a 1990s-era Ford Mustang convertible.
The parade’s Ghostbusters theme surfaced early and often. Children in Stay Puft Marshmallow Man outfits filled a float as performers dressed as Ghostbusters danced behind it to the franchise’s instantly recognizable theme song. A rescue squad displayed a Stay Puft balloon, while other participants donned proton packs and flight suits to keep the supernatural spirit in view at nearly every turn. Spectators also spotted a ghostly motif woven throughout the event, with costumes and clever set-pieces adding a playful “boo” to the season.
One of the most striking entries came from Clarke Excavating, which rolled in with a float featuring a tribute to the Ghostbusters’ iconic Ecto-1, lit with Christmas lights and accompanied by Santa’s helpers, a mashup that drew smiles and smartphone cameras along the way. Mountain Gateway Community College participated with a truck and a Volkswagen with a pair of Ghostbusters following close behind; the college’s mascot greeted children from the bed of the festive truck. The Department of Conservation and Recreation featured a nature-themed entry decked with Ghostbusters decorations in keeping with the parade’s adopted theme.
Local pride was on full display through the presence of multiple fire and rescue agencies. The Iron Gate Volunteer Fire Department fielded several entries, and neighboring departments joined in, including Millboro, Eagle Rock, Craigsville, and Twin Community. Clifton Forge Fire Department brought its Ladder 2, a sizable and essential piece of apparatus, while the Sharon Volunteer Fire Department made a strong showing with Engine 82. The variety of apparatus, decked out with wreaths, lights, and candy canes, underscored the regional collaboration and public-safety presence that anchors small-town holiday traditions.
Community organizations and faith groups also contributed to the parade’s family-friendly atmosphere. The Highlands Christmas Mother waved from the back of a pickup truck, sharing cheer with onlookers. The First Assembly of God Church presented a festive float, while Fincastle Baptist Church highlighted a nativity scene to celebrate the religious meaning of the season. A troupe from Fancy Feet filled a float with children tossing candy, and Cars Unlimited showcased impeccably restored classics — including what appeared to be a ’40s model coupe alongside newer collectibles. The Alleghany Cougar marching band delivered seasonal music that connected each segment of the rolling celebration and delighted spectators of all ages.
The local school system joined the procession with a marked bus, and a message that drivers are needed, with free training, blending community outreach with holiday participation. The Clifton Forge Rescue Squad and Fire Department, along with additional entries from Clifton Forge and surrounding localities, rounded out the municipal presence. Youth and athletics were represented by the Clifton Forge Little League, which rode on a cheerful float topped off with an inflatable Santa wielding a baseball bat — a wink to the town’s love of sports and community engagement.
For paradegoers, the highlights came in steady succession: the Grinch under gentle “arrest,” the constant rumble of classic engines, a ladder truck towering above the crowd, marshmallow-clad kids waving from a float, and costumed Ghostbusters drawing laughs as the theme song pulsed through the winter air. The effect was both cinematic and neighborly, a holiday happening that layered pop culture over small-town tradition.
The finale embraced tradition. Iron Gate’s brush truck delivered Santa Claus himself, seated on a sleigh and waving to children pressed to the curb. With lights twinkling and carols carrying down the street, the parade closed as it began, with community at the center, and a holiday spirit that felt both familiar and newly enchanted by friendly ghosts, marshmallow men, and the glow of hometown pride.
