Wellsville Christmas Parade

Saturday - November 12: Finishing up a day of Santa activities was the annual Chamber-of-Commerce Christmas Parade. With over 40 entries it was one of the nicer parades we have seen in a long time. From fire trucks, floats, marching bands to Santa in a horse drawn carriage the enthusiasm shown by all the participants proves that this little river village still has plenty of heart and spirit. Among those leading that theme of spirit was Parade Chairwoman Vickie McCombs. With that always present smile Vickie eagerly agreed to once again to take on the daunting task of putting it all together. Once again she organized an outstanding event for the whole town to enjoy.

In addition to the Wellsville VFD fire trucks entries came from Highlandtown, Toronto and West Point Volunteers. Patriotic entries were from the Nemenz Save-A-Lot Spirit of Columbia space shuttle float to the EL American Legion 374 drill team. Band entries included the Wellsville High School band with a nifty marching dance routine when they aren't playing a number and the ELHS Alumni Band. EL Municipal Court Judge Melissa Byers-Emmerling came marching along in one of her Litter Patrol safety vests. Many times the good Judge hands out sentences to the Litter Patrol she organized allowing misdemeanor defendants to perform public service instead of going to jail or pay fines.

Owners of Robert's Funeral Home Bill & Vicki was there in their antique 1937 Cadillac hearse with the carved wood sides. They acquired that a few years ago and had it completely restored. Bill said it is one of the last in the country. The WHS Prom King & Queen and the Homecoming King & Queen was part of the parade. There were ambulances, County & Village dignitaries and floats from most of the churches in town. Chamber-of-Commerce President Randy Allmon served as Parade Marshall. Many of the town's merchants had entries too.

The high light of the parade was, of course, Santa in a horse drawn carriage supplied by Carriage Limousine Service. Pulling the carriage was Alex, a beautiful black Percheron. Owner Rick Steed tells me Percheron's are a cross breed of Belgian and Arabian horses. They make fast work horses. Alex even had his hooves painted in speckled colors for the occasion. Santa listened to Christmas wishes and posed for pictures in the Gazebo following the parade. Tonda's Place had coffee, hot chocolate and hot doors available next door.

WHS Sports Station was on hand with Roger Miller taping the parade. He & Joe Surace did some interviews. It should be on the WHS Alumni web cite in the near future. Nunzio Lombardozzi handled the announcer duties on the sound system provided by Robert's Funeral Home. Trophies for the best entries were furnished by Mike Betz.

Parade Judges were Therese DeFelice, Shelly Abdalla and Sandy Smith with assistant Debbi McVay. Voted Best Float was Wellsville's First Christian Church. Second place went to the Lisbon Community Church and third to the Wellsville Nazarene Church. A lot of hard work went into designing and making those floats. They were all winners.

Best Marching Group went to Gibby's Mini Mart. Second went the Wellsville Boy Scout Troop 29. Best Car/Truck entry went to the Alley Cat Aid Brigade and second went to Robert's with the antique hearse. The "angels" of the ACAB had a PT Cruiser decorated as a giant kitty cat along with other members dressed in kitty cat costumes. Best Fire Truck went to Highlandtown with second to West Point. Best Band went to the ELHS Alumni group.

We tried to squeeze as many pictures in as we could. Hope you enjoy them as much as we enjoyed the parade. You did great Vickie. Take a deep breath and relax a little. You deserve it.

ole nib