Huge turnout highlights Scooba Christmas Parade

Cars and people were lined up and down the main thoroughfares of Scooba last Tuesday night as more than 500 onlook- ers poured into town to enjoy the annual Scooba Christmas Parade. 

More than 35 entries were in the parade that featured bands, fire trucks, churches, businesses, community organizations, and community leaders. 

“They piled up all along the streets downtown,” said Scooba Mayor Craig Nave, Sr. said of those at- tending the parade which began at 6 p.m.. “It was wonderful. People were gathering downtown be- fore 5. I was surprised at the amount of people. The more entries you have in the parade the bigger turnout you are gong to have because they bring a group of people with them.”

He said the parade is just part of what Scooba resi- dents are doing to draw people together.
“We just want to bring in more things and enhance our local events to make them better,” he said. “It wasn’t just about Scooba, there were people from all over Kemper County and other counties as well.” 

Those watching the pa- rade ranged from senior citizens all the way down to small children, who par- ticularly enjoyed gathering up the candy that was thrown from the floats. 

The Fleming Family Farms float took top hon- ors this year, with Porter- ville-Zion Church taking second and Scooba Baptist Church claiming third. 

And while he didn’t come away with any prizes, the biggest atten- tion-getter among the smallest of parade-goers was — of course — Santa Claus.