Morgan County comes out for annual holiday parade, tree lighting

By Whitney Skeeters
Staff Writer

It was a chilly 43 degrees at Madison’s annual Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting, but viewers had plenty of holiday cheer to keep them warm as they huddled together on the sidewalk and took it all in. The parade, which has been done each year for more than a decade, began around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2, at the high school and ended at the Court House.

The 4-H Club, the Daughters of the American Revolution, about a dozen World War II veterans, the Morgan County fire fighters, and other community groups marched down the street, smiling and sending happy holiday wishes along the way.

Carolers, dancers, and Christmas music via loudspeakers kept the scene lively as those who arrived early for a good seat waited for the festivities to begin. Everyone seemed to be affected by the Christmas spirit: even the dachshunds donned their Christmas sweaters as their tiny paws pranced down the street with the Dachshund Divas.

Lenita Franklin decided to bring her family out for the experience. She stationed herself in front of the Court House with her grandson, Trevon Franklin, niece Hattie Ivy, and her shih-tzu, Spirit.

“We’ve been coming for years,” said Franklin. “It’s a great kids outing.”

Trevon, Hattie, and even Spirit were bundled up, not letting the cold didn’t deter their anticipation.

Greta Pritchett, Morgan County High School’s 2008 Homecoming Queen, was perched atop a mint green 2004 Thunderbird as she rolled down the street, waving to the crowds.

“The parade is really cool, but cold!” said Pritchett. “It’s exciting though, it will be fun.”

High school junior Jessica Ketchum was excited to be involved in the parade. As a cheerleader, she said it was her job to “pump up the crowd and to celebrate Christmas Morgan-County style!”

Fellow cheerleader Brittany Harvey was also eager to spread the excitement.

“We’re here to get up the spirit for the Morgan County Bulldogs and wish them a merry Christmas!”

She has many special memories of watching the parade as a child.

“I was always especially excited to see Santa,” Harvey said. “I used to jump up and down!”

Before the parade started, Santa Claus said that all the floats were “looking good.” He added that this is seventh or eighth year doing this, and he’s proud to be the grand finale each year. This year, he and Mrs. Claus rode in on a Cadillac convertible.

It was no secret that the parade was most enjoyed by the kids.

Maclane Zant is the fifth grade student government vice president and he marched with fellow government members of Morgan County Elementary.

He said that the other floats were “pretty good.”

Fifth-grader Jeffrey Langford was most excited to see his elementary school’s float.

“The parade was awesome,” Langford said.

Denver Laughlin, a five-year-old Kindergartener, echoed Langford’s assessment of the parade.

“I liked the trucks the best,” said Laughlin.