Murfreesboro is such a special community, but at Christmas the warmth is even more wonderful. That feeling swept through Sunday afternoon's Murfreesboro Christmas Parade. The theme was "All I Want For Christmas Is ____".
Parade Winners
Entries decided whether or not they wished to be judged. According to the panel of judges, here are the winners in each category.
BEST BUSINESS FLOAT
The Beehive Salon: They had a beauty salon on a float.
BEST CIVIC AND SOCIAL GROUP FLOAT
Rutherford County Sheriffs Office: Wooden cutout of reindeer pulling Santa's sleigh with a Grinch in jail.
BEST CHURCH AND SCHOOL FLOAT
Lighthouse Baptist Church: Nativity scene
BEST SCOUT ENTRY
Girl Scout Service Unit #157: a float with the girls dressed as cookies..."All I Want For Christmas Is Girl Scout Cookies"
BEST VEHICLE ENTRY
Todd's Complete Auto Care:
BEST WALKING ENTRY
Dance Works: A float followed by a large group of girls doing a choreographed routine.
Mayor's Cup
Meyers Creek Haunted Woods: "I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas" complete with confetti and snow machines.
Chamber of Commerce' President's Award
Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation: All kinds of toys with a bucket truck carrying the Grinch, followed by a float filled with children playing with toys of years gone by.
All pictures by WGNS NewsRadio Photojournalists
Although the parade does not have a horse competition, the various equestrian entries were decorated beautifully.
This was the thirtieth year that WGNS has coordinated the parade, and officials estimate there was a record turnout compared to previous years. Well over 50,000 are said to have lined East Main, around the square and on down West Main.
WGNS used "All I Want For Christmas Is A Warm Night", and the radio station's Blanket Brigade collected new blankets from those who lined the streets.
WGNS President and General Manager Scott Walker said, "We have already had more cold nights than in the past. Even the Farmer's Almanac predicts a colder than usual winter."
Coordinator Angie Walker said, "The marching bands from Riverdale, Oakland, Siegel, Blackman High School bands along with Middle Tennessee Tennessee Christian School all set the pace for the parade.
This year's grand marshal(s) were the Blackman Blaze girls basketball team, who were National Champions last season.
"We are very grateful to MTSU for accommodating us and allowing us to use the campus", Walker commented. "They are always willing to help in any way they can and they do make the process less chaotic."
"The Murfreesboro Police Department kept the thousand-plus participants moving without injuries or traffic problems.
She indicated that parade's sponsors provide us with volunteers and the many resources needed to manage such a huge undertaking as the Mufreesboro Christmas Parade. Our sponsors are Synergy Bank, Atmos Energy, WGNS Radio, Stones River Amateur Radio Club, and the Noon Exchange Club.
