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County Christmas Parade trots out floats, firetrucks and gobs of candy
Also, Parade Contest Results!
Andrea Bruce
December 24, 2024
The Pamlico County High School marching band led the Pamlico County Christmas parade. Photo by Andrea Bruce
The PCHS marching band, miniature Shriner semitrucks, homemade floats and five fully-suited grinches shut down Highway 55 on Saturday afternoon for the annual Pamlico County Christmas Parade in Bayboro.
The parade brought hundreds of folks to the county’s central road to collect candy and wave to Santa and Mrs. Claus, who were pulled on the sheriff’s special operations boat.
Audri Leon, 18, and Krista Ballance, 16, who lined-up as members of the Pamlico County High School ROTC, sing Christmas songs. Photo by Andrea Bruce
As the floats lined up, members of the marching band shivered, trying to keep their hands and instruments warm as the temperature felt near-freezing in the shade. Zan’s Taekwondo students, almost outnumbering the band, wrestled each other in the ditches surrounding the Pamlico County High School. Pamlico Christian Academy high school students and teachers tangled themselves in lights and tinsel for their float’s tree.
The County Opry, which won the parade contest last year, posed for an Opry “family” photo on its detailed float, complete with Christmas music, rocking chairs and a chimney powered by a smoke machine.
The County Opry “family” poses for a photo with their detailed float. Photo by Andrea Bruce
Seven year-old Lane Simpson decorated his own four-wheeled float. He said he was excited to throw out candy on his own. Photo by Andrea Bruce
Zan’s Taekwondo students pose for a photo. Photo by Andrea Bruce
“There are too many grinches this year,” yelled one grumpy grinch. “If I had known, I wouldn’t have come here like this.”
This made the kids around him laugh.
Once the parade began, candy flew like hail. Kids darted around, collecting as much as they could hold and bringing it back to their family, dumping it in the laps of parents and grandparents.
Within an hour, the county’s firetrucks, horses and police wrapped up the parade with flashing lights and sirens, leaving a trail of hard candy like tiny speed bumps for holiday travelers the rest of the weekend.
The county’s firetrucks, horses and police wrapped up the parade, leaving behind a trail of candy. Photo by Andrea Bruce
Parade Contest Results:
Government: 1st Place, Pamlico Correctional Institution. Runner-up, Pamlico Sheriffs Office.
Walking: 1st Place, PCHS Marching Band. Runner-up, Zans Taekwondo.
Religious: 1st Place, Reelsboro PH Church. Runner-up, The County Church.
Youth: 1st Place, PCMS Cheerleaders. Runner-up, Pamlico County High School.
Non-Profit: 1st Place, Rotary Club of Oriental. Runner-up, Girl Scout Troop 4131.
Commercial: Harrison Tire Co/ Bay River Sewer. Runner-up, The County Opry.
Emergency Vehicles: 1st Place, New Bern Fire Rescue. Runner-up, Triangle VFD.
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