The Meadows of Dan Community Association will kick off the holiday season with its annual Christmas Parade on Nov. 29 at 3 p.m., honoring the Meadows of Dan Fire Department as this year’s grand marshal and inviting the community to celebrate the department’s 50 years of service.
In addition to firefighting, members of the fire department help the community in a variety of ways. A few examples include helping the Meadows of Dan Ruritan Club during Pancake Days, the popular Folk Fair, the Christmas Parade, and many other community events.
“We are very blessed to have them here,” said Trinity Goad, a member of the community association.
Meadows of Dan Fire Chief Ronald Terry said that community support works both ways.
“We feel very fortunate to have the support from our community that we have had for 50 years,” Terry said, adding that the department is also “grateful for all of the charter members that started it all in 1975.
“We still have a few of our charter members around, and we feel very honored to be asked to serve as grand marshal for the parade this year for our 50th anniversary,” Terry said.
The Christmas Parade this year coincides with Small Business Saturday.
It is “a perfect time to shop local and get some Christmas shopping done. We hope you are coming early to shop,” Goad said.
Goodies will be a staple for attendees to enjoy, Goad said. “Before the parade begins, stop by Meadows of Dan Baptist Church, where they will be making S’mores.”
This year’s parade promises to be bigger, because Goad said organizers are “adding to our lineup of Christmas floats, classic cars, and Santa. We will have two marching bands participating. This year, along with the Floyd County High School Band, we will get to hear our own Patrick County High School
Band.”
The association will provide first, second, and third place ribbons “to our most voted on floats, picked by random judges in the crowd,” Goad said. “If you have kids, be sure that you let them know that Santa
will be at Primitive Coffee after the parade to hear all of their Christmas wishes.”
Participating in the Meadows of Dan Christmas Parade is easy. Show up during the lineup that begins after 2 p.m. on Light Ridge Road.
“It is easier to come down Concord Road to line up,” Goad said.
The parade starts at 3 p.m., traveling up Jeb Stuart Highway to Meadows of Dan Baptist Church.
Floats, horses, classic cars, and ATVs are invited, “but please no wheelies, etc.,” Goad said.
For more information, call Goad, 540-230-7943.
