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by Carey King
"I can yell as loud as anyone," said Betty Foxx, explaining
how she's managed to pull together Sylva's Christmas parade for
the past five years.
Surrounded at her desk by piles of folders containing information
on floats, riders, sponsors and more, Foxx is busy getting ready
for the Dec. 2 event. Sponsored by Sylva Partners in Renewal,
the parade is being held as usual on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving.
Parade coordinator Foxx said she's already heard more compliments
on this year's upcoming parade than any parade in the past because
of one important factor.
"Our grand marshals will be children who have relatives serving
in the military right now. I think it's very appropriate, since
kids with a parent in Iraq might not have a dad or mother home
for the holidays," Foxx said.
This year's parade theme is "Salute to All Our Armed Forces."
Any child with a parent, grandparent or other relative currently
on active military duty is invited to participate, and Foxx hopes
to make each child a sign to carry that bears the name of their
loved one. The children will ride on a float sponsored by Southwestern
Community College.
Another element making this year's parade special, said Foxx,
is that families served by WestCare Hospice in the past year will
be invited to help light the Hospice Tree at the courthouse fountain.
"It will be a kind of memorial service. Hopefully it won't
be too sad, because then the parade will come along and cheer
the families up," she said.
Hospice's Judy Fashing is planning a short ceremony during which
families will light candles, hospital Chaplain Ron Allen will
offer prayer, and a church choir will sing.
The tree lighting is slated for 6:45 p.m. The parade will start
at 7 p.m. at the Community Service Center behind Harris Hospital
and end at the fountain.
In addition to eight professional floats sponsored by businesses
and elected officials, Foxx expects lots of community groups,
a car from the Great Smoky Mountains Railway, and an antique John
Deere tractor provided by John Faulk.
As parade organizer, however, she has definite guidelines for
every aspect of the parade.
"No horses, for safety reasons. You never know when a horse
is going to buck. And no throwing candy," said Foxx, noting
that bystanders get hurt when hit by sweets at high speeds. Foxx
will allow candy to be passed out at street level.
The most important guideline, Foxx said, is that there can be
only one jolly St. Nick.
"There's only one Santa Claus, and he's chosen by the parade
committee," she said.
To be grand marshals, children with relatives in Iraq must be
signed up by Friday, Nov. 14. Since a release form must be signed,
registration must be done in person at Sylva Insurance on Main
Street. Call Foxx with any questions at 586-2512 or 586-5608.
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