By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Several local businesses and organizations earned top honors in Alabaster’s Christmas parade, which drew thousands of spectators along U.S. 31 on the morning of Dec. 3.

Longtime Thompson High School band director Jon Bubbett and his wife, former Thompson Middle School choir director Jeannie Bubbett, served as grand marshals of this year’s parade, and rode on the event’s lead car, which was driven by THS Assistant Principal Drew Warman.

Although rain was forecast for much of the day, a few drizzles did not affect the event’s attendance.

This year’s theme was “The Joy of Christmas,” and all floats incorporated the theme into their designs and productions.

The parade followed the same route as previous years, and began at the Ernest McCarty Ford dealership on U.S. 31 before turning right onto Second Place Northwest, traveling down First Street Southwest and ending at the stop sign in front of Southbrook Village.

During the parade, which is organized and sponsored by Alabaster city personnel and the Alabaster Beautification Board, the two southbound lanes of U.S. 31 was closed, and northbound and southbound traffic will be diverted onto the two northbound lanes.

The city set up a judging station in front of the former City Hall building on U.S. 31, and floats will had a chance to conduct one-minute performances for the judges when they stopped in front of the building.

The following parade entries earned Santa Trophies in the following categories:

-“Best Use of Theme” – Joy’s Dance Company and 2Blu and The Lucky Stiffs

-“Most Creative” – Champy’s Famous Fried Chicken

-“Most Entertaining” – Dance Et Cetera

-“Best Walking Entry” – Ortho South

-“Best Holiday Spirit” – Alabaster Jazzercise