Hope Mills Parade and Tree Lighting Kick off the Season
by ERINN CRIDER
The days are getting colder and the nights are coming earlier. In North
part of the parade is, "Seeing the kids excited. It is especially exciting if the
Carolina this can only mean one thing: Christmas is coming. As Dec. 25
people in the crowd know someone on the float, it really hypes them up. It's
approaches, the Christmas spirit
great to see the community come and
can be felt at most every shop
support the parade."
and on every decorated lawn.
There have been some changes
One of the ways that Hope Mills
made to the rules in the parade
shares all this spirit is at the
this year. In past years people have
annual Christmas Parade and Tree
been able to throw candy from the
Lighting. What better way is there
floats. This year that will not be
to spread the holiday spirit than
allowed. Floats will have people
by driving huge colorful floats and
walking beside them to hand out
brightly decorated vehicles through
candy. This rule is intended to make
the streets and singing carols with
sure that children don't run into the
the community?
streets and into possible danger.
Hope Mills Parks and Recreation
Like always, the floats will be as
has been organizing this parade
beautiful as ever. "Color, bright
for many years. The very first year
colors, and the people on the float
they had 40 units participating in
being excited and involving the crowd
the event. The parade has grown
is important. I love the colors of the
tremendously since then. In 2012,
red, green, white and gold." Bullock
there were 114 participants. Though
said when describing the ideal float,
the size of the parade may grow, it
"I remember going to parades when
The Hope Mills Christmas Parade is set for Dec. 7, at 3 p.m.
has never lost the fun and festive
they were at night and seeing the
spirit on which it was founded. "This
Christmas lights. When we saw the
is a traditional parade and a great way for families to have fun. There will be
bright colors coming we would say 'Oh, that's gonna be a good one.'"
bands playing traditional Christmas carols and many different floats to watch,"
The Hope Mills Christmas Parade starts on Main St. and will run
says Kenny Bullock, Hope Mills Parks and Recreation director, who has been
from 3 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 7. For more information visit
working with the parade for six years.
http://174.132.145.94/~hope/index.php/departments/parksThe parade is a family-oriented event. Beautiful floats and Christmas music
and-recor call 424-4500. After the
will capture the imaginations of young and old and many floats will also hand
Christmas Parade, there will also be ERINN CRIDER, Staff Writer. COMout candy. The entire goal of the event is to bring fun and holiday spirit to the
the Hope Mills Festival of Lights at MENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly.
entire community. Bullock reflects this view by saying that the most rewarding
Hope Mills Lake at 5:30 p.m.
com.
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DECEMBER 4-10, 2013 UCW
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