By By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER
news@wdnweb.com
Contributing Writer
BELHAVEN — It was a soggy but festive celebration marking the Christmas season hosted Saturday by the Belhaven Community Chamber of Commerce.
Rain fell on the Christmas parade, reducing the number of participants and spectators. But the day’s holiday celebration offered a full schedule of other activities, including a chicken-dinner fundraiser, ornament-making event for children and photos with Santa.
“We begin planning for this right after the Fourth of July,” said Lloyd Ballance, the chamber’s executive director. “We need plenty of time to get ready for this.”
Earlier, the chamber announced its winners in the holiday decorating contest for local businesses and residences. Each received a ribbon commemorating the event.
In the business category, first prize went to the J &L Tourist Home. Second prize was awarded to Pittard, Perry &Crone. The Boyette Medical Center took third prize.
Becky Latham was awarded first prize for the decorations at her Water Street residence. Finishing second and third, respectively, were Joan Armstrong of Latham Street and Leon Thomas of Pantego Street.
Among those joining Alexis Peed, the reigning Miss Independence who was crowned during Belhaven’s big July 4 celebration, was Paul Wood, the parade’s grand marshal and Belhaven’s Citizen of the Year. Also represented were students from Northside High School and Mattamuskeet High School, as well as entries from Goose Creek State Park, the local chamber of commerce and Wine &Words, Belhaven’s Small Business of the Year.
Rounding out the parade lineup were fire departments from Belhaven, Pinetown, Pantego and Bath. Bringing up the rear was Santa Claus.
Award-winning parade entries were Boy Scout Troop 80 of Belhaven, first prize; Cub Scout Den 341 of Belhaven, second prize; Belhaven Yacht Club, third prize; and Woogie’s Restaurant &Oyster Bar, fourth prize.
Winners in the “big rig” decorating contest were S&S of Pantego and Harris Trucking of Pungo. Each parade winner received a gas card donated by Wilco-Hess of Greenville.