AURORA — For Gail Phelps, Sunday afternoon’s Christmas parade in the Beaufort County town of Aurora was more than just a holiday diversion.

It was a way of showing the world that, though the community suffered terribly during Hurricane Irene a few months ago, nothing was going to keep its people from celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

“I do think the parade and all the holiday things are a good pick-me-up from all the destruction we’ve had,” said Phelps, who serves as coordinator of the Christmas event. “I think it’s good to have something like this to get everyone’s spirits up.”

The parade was a highlight of a full weekend of festivities that included the annual craft show hosted by the Aurora Rescue Squad and a barbecue dinner sponsored by the Aurora Volunteer Fire Department.

Sponsored by the Aurora/Richland Township Chamber of Commerce, the parade lineup included elected officials from the N.C. House of Representatives, Beaufort County Board of Commissioners, Beaufort County Board of Education and the Aurora Board of Commissioners. Joining them were representatives of the Coast Guard, N.C. Highway Patrol, American Red Cross and Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.

Also included in the holiday procession were entries by area churches and businesses, the Sudan Shriners, the Red Hat ladies, classic automobiles, antique tractors and personnel from fire and rescue units in Aurora, Blount’s Creek and Chocowinity. Rounding out the parade were student groups representing S.W. Snowden Elementary School, Southside High School, Pamlico County High School and Washington High School.

The grand finale was a float sponsored by PotashCorp-Aurora bearing Santa Claus and area Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops.

According to Phelps, the Aurora Christmas parade tradition has its roots in the 1970s when it was founded by the local Junior Women’s Club. It was later sponsored by the Aurora Women’s Club, before the chamber of commerce took over the reins. Phelps and her mother, now deceased, coordinated the event for several years; she is now assisted by her husband, E.H. Phelps.

The Aurora parade was the latest in a series of such events held in Chocowinity, Washington, Bath and Belhaven. Beaufort County’s Christmas parade season concludes Sunday in the Edward community.