Large crowd comes out to see Gravette’s Christmas parade
GRAVETTE — The weather cooperated beautifully and mild temperatures greeted folks who came out to enjoy Gravette’s “Dreaming of a White Christmas” parade on the evening of Dec. 2. Taking advantage of the mild December day, a large crowd of area residents lined the streets to watch the annual holiday event.
Several people attended an open house at the Gravette public library, held during the hour preceding the parade. Hot-spiced cider, a cheese ball and crackers and cheesecake squares were served; and youngsters were allowed to make candy-cane tree ornaments to take home. They could also select a snowman from the library’s tree.
Gravette police and fire department vehicles announced the parade’s arrival with sirens screaming, and the Maysville Fire Department also joined the parade entries with its firetruck. Members of the Gravette High School marching band, dressed in festive holiday colors, marched smartly along, entertaining the crowd with seasonal carols.
Isabella Dell, Miss Gravette 2017, rode in the parade and was present at the museum annex after the parade to hand candy treats to the children visiting Santa. Other Gravette Day royalty participating in the parade included Mackenzie Stewart, Miss Teen Gravette; Kelsey Fletcher, Miss Preteen Gravette; Karley Forey, Miss Tween Gravette; Lexie O’Neill, Little Miss Gravette; Brinley Estep, Little Miss Petite; and Jordan Foster, Miss Pretty Baby.
Several churches entered floats in the parade. Children from the First Christian Church, dressed in matching T-shirts, rode on a float with a banner announcing they were “Praying for a White Christmas.” Members of the Gravette Church of Christ and their pastor, Bob Kirkley, had a sign on their entry proclaiming “He washed me whiter than SNOW!” An eyecatching entry from Beacon Baptist Church had a “Treelot Christmas” theme and carried youngsters dressed in tree costumes. The United Methodist Church entry, pulled by choir director Al Blair’s vehicle, was followed by pastor Heath Williams and his wife Jeanne walking their black lab, Shadow.
A float carrying Sherri Beth Johnson, area Christian historical romance writer, carried out the “White Christmas” theme with several riders grouped under a snow-covered arbor and three young ladies taking a sleigh ride through a forested winter wonderland. Students from Dynamic Rhythm dance studio rode on a float featuring a backdrop of snow-covered cottages. Another, entered by the Gravette Kiwanis Club, featured a snowman outside an igloo announcing ,“Welcome White Christmas.”
Commercial entries included a float from Ozarks Community Hospital that featured a layer of white balloons resembling a deep snowbank and a Midcontinent Concrete mixer truck adorned with a holiday wreath on the front grill. Gayla McKenzie, a candidate for state representative, also rode in the parade.
Several horseback riders participated in the parade, including David Bailey, Gravette city attorney, and his wife Carla and several young equestrians. A few pedestrians marched along the parade route, including costumed representatives from New Beginnings Learning Academy and a contingent of Chris Birch supporters.
The Gravette Fire Department’s big ladder truck showed up near the end of the parade, carrying Santa and Mrs. Claus. The pair was greeted enthusiastically by crowds of youngsters along the parade route, many of whom had been eagerly scrambling to pick up candy tossed out by parade entrants.
Following the parade, an estimated 400 celebrants gathered at the Gravette historical museum to enjoy activities there. Santa and Mrs. Claus set up in the museum annex to listen to the youngsters’ holiday wish lists. Chris and Tina Crose set up a table nearby where children could do holiday crafts and learn about programs at their Imagine Before and After School Care.
Bob and Sandy Kelley dressed as Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Kindley and welcomed guests who came to tour the historic Kindley home. Randi Van Noy, museum curator, greeted visitors in the parlor and hosted tours through the home. Rooms throughout had been decorated for the holidays by museum commission members. Perfect Harmony, a ladies choral group, entertained guests by singing carols.
Plenty of goodies were available on the museum grounds. Free hot dogs, chips and soft drinks were served by museum commission members. Hot chocolate was provided by the Gravette Church of Christ, and cookies by members of the First Christian Church, Heritage Baptist Church and the United Methodist Church. Members of the Gravette Police Department and the Gravette Fire Department crews offered samples from several pots of chili prepared for their chili cook-off.
Tasters voted for their favorite chili with cash contributions. When the donations were counted, the fire department had collected $43.96 and the police department $115.92. The fire department acknowledged defeat, promising to give the police officers a tougher competition next year, and donated their proceeds to the police department. Total contributions will be used to help fund the Shop with a Cop program.