The Maben Christmas Parade was held Dec. 17. There were flashing blue lights, screaming sirens, honking of horns and rumbling of big firetrucks as participants gradually lined up to head north on Second Avenue.
People lined the street all the way from the First Baptist Church up past the Maben Library and then on to MS Hwy. 15 and down along to the four-way stop.
Sets of Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Department cars led the pack followed by Grand Marshal Carolyn McMullen, a longtime merchant on Second Avenue: Swank on Main.
Units included emergency management trucks, firetrucks from Maben, Woodland, Eupora, Cumberland and Oktibbeha County, 4-County Electric Power trucks, Mississippi Forestry Commission truck complete with Smokey Bear, the Mayor’s Health Council, Legacy Hospice and the EMA/911 – Christian Campbell.
Also parading were the Maben Lions Club car, the Avon ladies, Mad Dawgs and several four-wheelers, and the Destroy Poverty marching group. Also in the parade were the mayor and Board of Aldermen of Maben riding in various sheriff cars.
The cream of the crop of the parade was none other than Santa Claus – Landon Griffin, the county deputy fire investigator.
Interspersed with the big trucks were floats from several area churches: Grove Chapel MB Church, St. Stephens Church, Maben First Baptist Church and Good Hope Baptist Church.
The youth of Center Grove Baptist church set up at the Maben Park Pavilion and served hot coffee and hot chocolate to any that passed by. They also handed out candy canes with an attached story about the candy cane.
The Mayor’s Health Council, a health collaborative focused on supporting the implementation of best practices and programs that bring positive change to healthy lifestyles, handed out packages containing toothbrushes, hand lotion, pens, ChapStick and pamphlets on good health practices.
The members of the Maben Fire Department are to be commended for coordinating the parade, especially Mr. Wayne Yeatman, who deserves special thanks for all his efforts once again.
Thanks should also go to those businesses that stayed open in town: Olde Town Bakery, Peppies and Sprint Mart.
My apologies to any organization that I inadvertently omitted. The citizens of Maben appreciate your participation and help in making the parade a success.
