Stuarts Draft community gets excited for their 8th annual Christmas parade
STUARTS DRAFT — Saving the best for last, Santa Claus will make a special appearance on the last float of this year's Stuarts Draft Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 11.
Themed "The Miracles of Christmas," this is the first time the parade is back in-person since the start of the pandemic. About to celebrate their eighth year, Carolyn Bragg, who organizes the parade said she and Bobby Snyder, former chief of the Stuarts Draft Rescue Squad had talked about the idea for years.
"I started talking about how much fun it would be to have our own local community parade," said Bragg.
Finally, they decided to jump in and go for it, she shared; both agreeing it was a great idea and needed to happen. Immediately, they started to put the event together by reaching out to their close-knit Stuarts Draft community. They formed a small committee who got straight to work.
"This year, the committee is made up of Bobby and myself, Gloria Stump, Kathy Cohron, Jesyka Rowzie, and then Mary Collins, Jane Fainter and Treva Massie with the Stuarts Draft Rescue Auxiliary," said Bragg. "This has been a great group of people to work with!"
On parade day they have a number of additional volunteers to help make the event a success, including the Augusta County Sheriff's Office, Stuarts Draft Fire Department, spotters, road monitors, entry judges and an MC to host the parade.
"From the beginning, we wanted anyone interested in participating to have access to the parade, so we have never charged entry fees," said Bragg.
But there are costs associated with putting on a parade, so they turned to their community, who have been very gracious in providing sponsorships, Bragg said.
The parade has three levels of sponsorships:
Santa (or presenting sponsors) are $500 and up
Reindeer sponsors are $200-$499
Elf sponsors are $100-$199
They also received donations from local businesses, community members, and as memorials for loved ones.
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Judged categories
Small Business (up to 15 employees)
Commercial (15+ employees)
Church/Religious
Vehicles (antique cars, car clubs, fire trucks/rescue vehicles)
Bands
Non-commercial (dance groups, nonprofits)
Youth Groups (school groups, ball teams, scouts, 4-H and FFA)
Family Floats
First place winners receive a $50 cash prize. There is also a Judges' Choice award.
The Family Float category is unique, said Bragg. It started with family whose kids wanted to be in the parade, but they weren't tied to any group or organization that would be participating.
"Who doesn’t love to be in one?!"
Then other parents began asking if there was someplace that their kids could ride in the parade, and the decision was made to have a separate category for anyone who wanted to celebrate the season and share in joy with the community, so the Family Float category was created, Bragg shared.
Anyone can join in — mom, dad, grandparents, kids, neighbors, friends and so forth.
Participants start lining up at Hollister at 2:30 p.m. before the parade begins at 4 p.m. The parade route is between Hollister and the Stuarts Draft Rescue Squad.
"As an organizing body, we have always been very aware of the safety needs of the participants and the spectators of our event," said Bragg.
The roads are blocked at the beginning and the end of the route, as well as at intersections along the parade route.
"We ask that people don’t cross the roads during the event," said Bragg.
There are restroom facilities available on both sides of the road, as well as some concessions on either side, making crossings unnecessary.
"We also ask that candy not be thrown from vehicles, but people can hand out items as they walk along the parade route."
Members of the Augusta County Sheriffs Office will have a presence at the event to assist in ensuring everyone has a fun and safe experience.
A surprise guest
This year, they might have a very special guest, hinted Bragg mysteriously who said they are waiting on confirmation so they can't announce it yet (no, not Santa... he is definitely going to be there).
"This is definitely a community event — and it celebrates the Christmas season and really highlights what it is like to be a part of a small town," said Bragg. "The smiles, laughter, the kids clapping, people greeting each other, and just the overall joy and magic of the day is what makes all of the planning and work worthwhile."
Rejoicing Life Ministries will have free cookies and hot beverages for visitors in the Old School House building and hot beverages will also be offered in front of Stump Elementary School.
Santa sponsors include Gerdau of Stuarts Draft, Stuarts Draft Rescue Squad, Stuarts Draft Post Office and a generous community friend, said Bragg.
Reindeer sponsors include Stump Holding, LLC, Wades Floor Coverings & Interiors, Kinsingers Shop, Cox Construction & Plumbing/Cavalier Septic, E & E Plumbing & Heating, Blue Ridge Lumber, Stuarts Draft Family Pharmacy, Beverage Tractor, South River Rehabilitation & Performance, Stuarts Draft Baptist Church and several community friends.
Elf Sponsors include the Stuarts Draft Ruritan Club, Nibco, Stuarts Draft Antique Mall, and Dominion Outdoors.
In-kind donors include Stuarts Draft Fire Department, KPD, Inc, radco, Hollister, Hershey, Staunton Tractors, Shenandoah Acres Family Campground and Ulrich Lifestyles.
You can reach Reporter Monique Calello at mcalello@newsleader.com and follow on Twitter @moniquecalello.
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This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Stuarts Draft Christmas Parade highlights community in Virginian town
