Parade lights up downtown Andrews

  • In their snow globe float, Cub Scouts Bradyn Thompson, Zack Bryant and Cale Wilson (from left) look for friends to throw candy to along the parade route Saturday night. Photo by Samantha Sinclair
    In their snow globe float, Cub Scouts Bradyn Thompson, Zack Bryant and Cale Wilson (from left) look for friends to throw candy to along the parade route Saturday night. Photo by Samantha Sinclair

        Andrews - Crowds of families lined the length of Main Street on Saturday night for the annual Magic on Main Electric Christmas Parade. This year’s parade featured 40 entries, including some – like Cruise Night for the Kids – that had multiple vehicles.
        Jan Olson, executive director of the Andrews Chamber of Commerce, said there were a lot more participants than previous years. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, including the guests of honor, World War II veteran John Love along with grand marshals Pam and Giles Ennis.
        “John was so thrilled to be included, as were the Ennises,” Olson said. “That’s the important thing, that everybody had fun.”
        More than 50 volunteers, including 31 Andrews Middle School students who held banners, made the event possible. If you couldn’t make it in person, you can view the parade via WKRK’s Facebook page.
        Olson thought the quality of the floats was better this year. The floats were judged by Kathy Chambers and Donald Ray Johnson of MOOG, Greg Boehm and Lisa Boehm of Team Industries, and Drs. Dena and Matt Snead of Erlanger Health System.
        Pruitt Health’s entry with a train full of characters won best overall. In the non-profit division, Industrial Opportunities Inc., won first and Andrews Cub Scouts Pack 401 took second. For business entries, Carolina Cars and Kustom Karts won first and Carolina Mountain Trout took second. The Murphy Rotary Club won the prize for best school/club float, while Donald Dockery was honored for having the best entry from a resident.
        The chamber also announced winners from its Christmas Window Display contest. Valleytown Center won first place, The Open Porch took second and Moore Old Stuff was third.