Season's greetings
By Ethan Smith
Published in News on December 6, 2015 3:05 AM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Ronald and Birdie ride the McDonald's float along with over a dozen other people during the Goldsboro Christmas Parade Saturday. More than 150 floats made up this year's parade.
Wayne County residents rang in the holiday season on Saturday with Christmas parades in Goldsboro, Mount Olive and Fremont.
Each parade was well attended and saw hundreds of parade entries help people get into the spirit of the season.
Goldsboro had several thousand residents gather in the newly renovated downtown Center Street area to watch the more than 150 parade entries strut their stuff when the parade kicked off at 4 p.m.
The grand marshal of Goldsboro's parade was Col. Mark Slocum, commander of the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
Gary Ryams said he and his family have attended the Christmas parade in downtown Goldsboro for at least a decade. This year, he watched the parade while sitting on a granite bollard beside the sculpture of Venus fly traps near City Hall.
"We come out every year for the Goldsboro parade and we enjoy it every time," Ryams said.
He said his favorite part of the parade is always the marching bands.
"You know, they're a little fancy. They got their little step and everything," Ryams said. "It's always good to have this parade. I always look forward to it to set off the holidays and get in the spirit of Christmas."
Theresa Jackson said she has been coming to the Goldsboro parade for more than 20 years and that she loves watching the bands perform and seeing all of the cars in the parade.
At one point, Mrs. Jackson hugged and danced with the giant chicken that served as the Bojangles mascot.
"This is awesome," she said. "There's so much change down here in downtown and it's so different. It's been a long time coming."
Mount Olive was the first parade of the day at 10 a.m., with throngs of people lining Breazeale Avenue to allow children to catch candy and everyone to watch the colorful entries.
The grand marshal of the parade was Vicky Darden, who was selected by receiving the most nominations from the community. This marks the third year that the community has selected the grand marshal for the Mount Olive parade.
Two-year-old Ivey Anderson waved to the passing floats and cars as her mother, Ashley Anderson, helped her gather candy.
"Ivey loves running out to get the candy," Mrs. Anderson said. "Last year was her first parade and she absolutely loved it, so we came back this year."
Mason Williford, 5, had a little extra help collecting candy, as Sheriff's Office deputies and other law enforcement officers caught and gathered candy to put in the bag his mother, Crystal Williford, was holding.
"We come to this parade every year," Mrs. Williford said. "I've come all 30 years that I've been living. I love spending time with him (Mason) and making memories like these."
Fremont hosted the second parade of the day at 1 p.m. Hundreds of people packed Main Street to watch the roughly 90 entries.
Dr. Earl Moore, principal of Charles B. Aycock High School, was the grand marshal.
Renee White-Clark and Terry White watched the parade from Mrs. White-Clark's porch on the corner of Main Street and Vance Street.
"We watch it from our porch every year, because it always starts right in front of us," Mrs. White-Clark said. "We always have ringside seats every year."
White said he missed the parade the last two years because he was serving tours of duty in Afghanistan, and he only recently retired from the military several days ago after 35 years of service.
"I love just seeing the kids enjoy themselves and seeing the unification of a neighborhood that happens this time of year," White said. "I love the small town feel here."
Mrs. White-Clark said her favorite part of the parade is seeing the "princesses and little elves" on Santa's sleigh.
"I recorded the parade last year with snow coming down," Mrs. White-Clark said. "I didn't care. I loved it. I love the princesses because every woman always wanted to be a princess. And the elves are so cute. They all have that little waving thing going on like their arms never get tired."