BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS OWNER
PHOTOS BY SARAH STEPHENS, AMANDA PEVY AND AUSTIN SPEIGNER
TOP PHOTO: GRAND MARSHAL JOSEPH “RABBIT” CULVER AND HIS LOVELY BRIDE NORA JEAN.
Editor’s Note: These are just SOME of the photos from the Festival and Parade. To see the full gallery, visit our Facebook page as all of the photos will be posted today. From there you will be able to tag and share individual photos.
It is officially the Christmas Season in Millbrook, Alabama, and thousands came out to line Main Street Saturday to celebrate.
The Spirit of Christmas Festival kicked off at 9 a.m. with early crowds of shoppers and entertainment watchers. Throughout the day, snow would suddenly begin to fall around the City’s official Christmas tree, thanks to IT Director Andy Markley and his “bubble” concoction. A big thanks to Markley who also ran the sound system for both the Parade Day and the Tree Lighting.
Entertainment included the Prattville Promenaders, Chung’s TaiKwonDo and Lisa’s Dance Dimensions. There were 49 vendors, including food booths, to visit as the crowd built for the parade which began at 2 p.m. Many of those shopping said they were impressed with the variety and loaded up on food before they left the park to take home.
As the parade rolled downtown and north on Main Street, John Kilpatrick announced each float and the winners in multiple categories. Kilpatrick has served as the emcee of the Millbrook Parade for several years now and helped to get the crowd fired up as the first float headed towards the judge’s platform.
Leading the parade were members of area motorcycle groups and organizations, some dressed as elves or in colorful Christmas attire. After a few minutes, the main body of the parade made its way slowly down Main Street, with Grand Marshal Joseph “Rabbit” Culver and his wife Nora Jean getting a lot of love.
Rabbit is the oldest living member of the Millbrook Men’s Club. He has always been a big supporter of the Millbrook school system, athletics and was an important part of the early days of growth even before Millbrook was recognized as an official city.
Of the recognition, he said “This is the happiest day of my life.” He wore a permanent smile all day, even after he and Nora Jean retired to sit on the Judge’s platform. The couple’s daughter, Ginger, echoed his sentiments. She said that seeing the smiles on her parents’ faces was worth more than gold.
Float winners this year include:
Overall Winner and Best Representation of Theme went to Chung’s Taekwondo.
In the Clubs or Organizations category, first place went to Millbrook Revelers; Second place to Punishers LEMC Motorcycle Club Three Rivers Chapter; Third place to Cub Scout Pack 191.
For Churches, first place went to Real Life Church; Second place to Coosada Baptist Church; and Third Place to Living Word Church.
For the Schools category, First place went to SEHS Varsity Cheerleaders; Second place to Coosada Elementary; and Third Place to Millbrook Middle School Cheerleaders.
For the Business category, First place went to Charlton Place Rehab and Gables Assisted Living; Second place went to Lisa’s Dance Dimensions; and Third place went to Tonya Speed’s Dance Connection.
Fortunately, the parade went off safely, and most attendees interested in the SEC Championship game were able to make it back home to see Alabama Take the championship.
If you have not visited Village Green Park in Millbrook, make sure to do so during the Christmas season. The lights in the park are set to music for a great nighttime show. There is a lit tunnel to Candyland for the kids.
A special thank you to the Spirit of Christmas Committee who planned and organized the events; ALL departments for the City of Millbrook, especially the Parks and Recreation Department, Millbrook Police and Fire Departments and the Street Department for creating and placing decorations that can be seen all around town.
