Large crowd gathers for parade

Published 4:54 pm Friday, December 4, 2015

Longtime Butler County Circuit Clerk Allen Stephenson served as the grand marshal for Thursday night’s parade.  Stephenson is president of the Butler County Ministerial Association and president of the board of directors for L.V. Stabler Memorial Hospital. He also serves on the board of directors for the Kiwanis Club and the YMCA. (Advocate Staff/Andy Brown)

Longtime Butler County Circuit Clerk Allen Stephenson served as the grand marshal for Thursday night’s parade. Stephenson is president of the Butler County Ministerial Association and president of the board of directors for L.V. Stabler Memorial Hospital. He also serves on the board of directors for the Kiwanis Club and the YMCA. (Advocate Staff/Andy Brown)

The City of Greenville held its annual Christmas parade on Thursday night.

A large crowd gathered, despite the chilly temperatures, to watch more than a dozen floats and another 35 entries roll down Commerce Street.

Prior to the parade kicking off, Greenville Mayor Dexter McLendon lit the city’s Christmas tree, which is located in the center of Confederate Park, and ol’ St. Nick made an appearance and chatted with area children about their Christmas wish lists.

Email newsletter signup

The Camellia City was also treated to snow, courtesy of four snow machines, which were rented by the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber also spearheaded the judging of the parade floats and entries.

Hank’s Fireworks/Cottage Delights/Judy’s Beauty Shop tied with Ozark Materials for first place in the float competition. Treehouse Children’s Ministry of Antioch East Baptist Church took second place and LifeFlight claimed third place.

In the vehicles category, Greenville Equipment Center took first place, while Brian Moss State Farm finished in second place and Abbie Gardner Ballew State Farm and Pioneer Electric Cooperative tied for third place.