Organizers: Parade competition heavy

Christmas Parade - Magic in the Manger.jpg [1]

Longview United Methodist Church won the award for "Best Overall Entry" in the Starkville Christmas Parade.

By BRIAN HAWKINS
sdneditor@bellsouth.net [2]

Organizers of the 2010 Starkville Christmas Parade say Saturday night’s event saw some of the heaviest competition ever among entries within the past five years.
Sponsored by the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, the parade, which drew hundreds of spectators to the downtown area, saw 74 units participating. The theme for this year’s parade was “It’s a Magical Christmas.”
“We had a more competitive year for floats and walking units. I was very pleased with the entries,” said Tasha Hill, GSDP special events coordinator, who spearheaded the parade organization.
“The creativity and details put into the entries with the theme of ‘It’s a Magical Christmas’ were amazing. The judges remarked that their decision was very difficult in choosing the various award winners,” Hill added.
Award winners for the parade are as followed
• Best Overall Entry — Longview United Methodist Church (Magic in the Manger).
• Best Use of Theme — Girl Scouts Troop No. 320.
• Best Use of Lights — OCH Regional Medical Center.
• Best Business/Commercial Entry — Ability Works.
• Best Non-Profit/Civic Entry — Rolling Hills Development Center.
• Best Faith-Based Entry — Adaton United Methodist Church.
• Best School-Age Entry — Cub Scout Pack No. 27.
• Best Use of Theme for a Walking Unit — KMG Creations.
• Honorable Mention — Clark Beverage Group.
Hill expressed appreciation to Cadence Bank and bank president Tommy Tomlinson for use of the plaza for the broadcast booth and judges’ reviewing stand for the parade, as well as the staff of the First United Methodist Church television center for their efforts in broadcasting the parade.
Hill also thanked the Starkville Police Department and all public safety officers, as well as all the volunteers involved in making the parade a success.