The Meadows of Dan Christmas Parade is a go this year, and the Meadows of Dan Community Association is inviting everyone to join the fun.
The parade will be held on Saturday, November 28, at 3 p.m. It will follow the same route as in years past, primarily along the Meadows of Dan Business District.
The parade is sponsored by the Community Association, but no fees are charged to be in the parade.
Participants are “free to bring your tractors, horses, floats, ATVs” and others to enter into the parade, according to Trinity Goad, who is among the organizers.
“We would like to suggest to everyone to be mindful of the social distancing standards. We want you to come and see the parade, but be safe while doing it,” Goad said.
The only difference this year is no snacks or cider will be given to parade-goers, “but Santa will be in the parade, he just has to rush back to the North Pole right after” and will not be able to greet children when the parade ends, Goad said.
“We apologize for this, but we feel that it is the only way to keep people safe, this year,” he said, and added “please come and find your space along the parade route,” which will stretch from Light Ridge
Road (which is also the line-up destination after 2 p.m.), and end at Meadows of Dan Baptist Church.
“We hope to see you there rain, snow, sleet, or hail,” Goad said.
He added the association faced a tough decision when selecting a Grand Marshal, and the honor was decided by a narrow margin.
Mary Locke was the winner, and will head the parade.
“We want to congratulate Mary Locke on winning this great honor,” he said, and added that Mary and her husband Greg have been married for 55 years, and lived around Meadows of Dan for 14.5 of those years. Greg is an artist and repainted the Meadows of Dan Gateway signs, as well as signs and other items for Floyd.
Mary Locke is “a huge attribute to the Community Association, as well as being on the Board of Directors of the Association,” he said. She also has served as the President of the Woman’s Club
for the last 10 years. She is President of the Mountain Top Fire & Rescue Support Team, which prepares monthly dinners for Meadows of Dan.
She also is a member of the Ruritans, the Meadows of Dan Community Building Board and other charity organizations.
“We very much appreciate all the hard work that Mary does for Meadows of Dan, and we are honored to have her as our 2020 Grand Marshal,” Goad said.
Anyone who would like to participate in the Christmas Parade may contact Goad, 540-230-7943, or find him on Facebook.
