Montevallo Christmas Parade draws hundreds
Published 4:07 pm Monday, December 3, 2018
- Santa waves at children from his sleigh in Montevallo’s Christmas Parade on the night of Nov. 29. (For the Reporter/Jeremy Raines)
By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer
MONTEVALLO – By 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 29, the sidewalks along Main Street were teeming with people watching the city’s Christmas tree lighting and waiting for the parade to start.
“Someone said it looked like a Hallmark movie,” Montevallo Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Steve Gilbert said of the downtown area, referencing the myriad of lights and decorations adorning buildings and lampposts.
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The Montevallo Community Band plays during the city’s tree lighting prior to the parade. (For the Reporter/Jeremy Raines)
Gilbert and local radio personality “Dollar Bill” Lawson took turns announcing parade participants and parade and window decorating competition winners.
“This year’s parade was a big success, with numerous community groups participating,” Gilbert said. “It was a great evening to be in Montevallo. Our community and its merchants have really decked the town with new decorations and lights. The parade was a great way to kick off the Christmas season.”
This year’s parade winners were:
- Best Overall – Girl Scout Troop 86
- Most Creative – McRee Fire Department
- Most Christmas Spirit – Montevallo Presbyterian Church
- Best Theme – Tractor Supply Company, Montevallo
Winners of the window decorating competition were:
Businesses
- First place – Czeskleba TV
- Second place – Emma Gray
- Third place – The Type Shop
- Mayor’s Choice – McDonald’s
- Honorable Mentions – The Flower Shop and Smitherman’s Pharmacy
- People’s Choice Award – Fotowerks Custom Photography
Student Groups
- First place – Montevallo Boys & Girls Club
- Second place – Ummm It’s Music
- Third place – Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow