annual Christmas parade

By BETH LAKEY

Staff Writer

Nov. 23, 2000 10 PM

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere you go, especially in downtown Troy.

City employees and merchants have been decking, not only the halls, but the streets and storefronts, as well in preparation for Monday night’s festivities.

The annual Christmas parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. and include Troy State University’s Sound of the South Marching Band, the band from Ft. Rucker and local high school bands.

A ceremony

filled with holiday music, meaningful words and, of course, the lighting of the huge 20-foot Christmas tree on the Square will follow the parade.

Sheila Jackson, administrative assistant for the city of Troy, is coordinating the event she said everyone will enjoy.

Johnny Barron will open the tree lighting ceremony with a song. The Rev. Steve Rascoe of Park Memorial United Methodist Church will speak about the meaning of Christmas.

After winners of the city departmental float contest are announced, Martha Shipman will sing "Come On and Ring Those Bells, Light the Christmas Tree," and Mayor Jimmy Lunsford and his wife, Faye, will do just that with the help of two local children.

"Everyone really enjoys it," Jackson said of the evening that really kicks off the holiday season in the city.

"You know that song, ‘It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year?’ It truly is. Everyone seems to love Christmas," Jackson said.

When talking about the evening ahead, Jackson sounds like a child waiting for Santa.

And, who knows, the jolly ol’ elf may have his helpers there Monday night checking the names on his list to see just who has been naughty and who’s been nice.