By Staff
World War II veteran Pacella is grand marshal of parade
By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER
Lifestyles &Features Editor
CHOCOWINITY — Under a clear Carolina blue sky and with a nip in the air, the Yuletide season was officially ushered in Saturday morning during the third annual Chocowinity Christmas parade.
Friday’s snow flurries were the only thing missing that would have made the festivities perfect.
In keeping with the town’s salute to veterans and the military, the procession was led by a Marine Corps honor guard. Following closely behind was the parade grand marshal, Hugh Pacella, who waved a small American flag at the crowds. Pacella is a World War II Army veteran.
Lining the parade route were hundreds of spectators, some bundled up and braving the cold while others watched from the warmth of their automobiles.
Practice does indeed make perfect as this year’s parade ran smoothly, according to Jones and her helpers. The committee received “several high compliments” after the parade, she added.
Several elected officials accepted the town’s invitation to participate, including Chocowinity Mayor Jimmy Mobley, Beaufort County Clerk of Court Marty Paramore, Beaufort County commissioners Jay McRoy and Robert Cayton and Sheriff Alan Jordan.
Local children, the hit of any parade, represented area Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops as well as Chocowinity Primary School. Marching bands from Southside High School and Chocowinity Middle School played high-stepping music, and several town businesses got into the spirit of Christmas.
Spreading the true meaning of Christmas were the congregations of several local churches. Rounding out the procession were representatives of various volunteer fire departments and rescue squads, personnel from the Chocowinity Police Department and the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, classic automobiles and members of the Eastern Antique Power Association. Bringing up the rear was Santa Claus, of course.
Jones noted that the parade was a community-wide event that wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the citizens of Chocowinity.