The excitement from 1,000 plus participants and 30 parade volunteers resonated through the chilly sunny December morning this past Saturday at the fun but chaotic staging area for the Travelers Rest parade.
All the participants had to line up in numerical processional order for the 10 am ride down through the streets of Travelers Rest.
Greenville High School Navy JROTC started the parade.
The Mayor of Travelers Rest, Wayne McCall, was next in the processional as well as other local and state officials – the State Senator Mike Fair, State Senator Tom Corbin, County Councilman Joe Dill, County Treasurer Jill Kintigh, and Sheriff Loftis from the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office.
Then the floats from various churches and other organizations drove their masterpieces down the streets.
North Greenville Hospital had two of their nurses sitting around Christmas trees and gifts. The Girl and Boy Scouts came in their uniforms as well as the Safety crossing guards from a local elementary school.
Various churches such as Bethany Baptist, Foothills Baptist, North Fork Baptist, and Enoree Baptist “The Journey Kids Ministry” had nativity scenes and military themes.
The marching bands from the local High Schools-Travelers Rest and Blue Ridge High School as well as the Greenville Textile Band entertained the crowd with beautiful melodious Christmas sounds.
Drivers of stock cars juiced up their engines and heroic firefighters drove their fire trucks while waving to the future Firemen in the crowds.
The main attraction...the Disney Princesses in their pretty gowns and the man in the red and white suit-Santa Claus in his shiny sled-grabbed the hearts and sweet smiles from all the spectators in the crowd.
More than 14,000 plus residents came as early as 7 a.m. to get a front row seat on Main Street in Travelers Rest.
Children ran back and forth gathering candy that the parade participants threw in the crowd. Travelers Rest Parade is one of the last parades that still throws candy out each year.
Both the young and old watch with anticipation to see what float is going to drive right next to them. One older woman sat in her chair with her face plastered with a grin, “I feel like a child again,” she exclaimed.
This older woman is an example of why Joy Judd served as the Travelers Rest Parade Coordinator for the last 10 years. She says that doing this parade for the community has “been my gift to them, but them supporting our parade has been a gift to me.” Every year she strives to make the parade bigger and better than the year before. She believes that if she can bring out the 12-year old in every person’s heart, then she accomplished her goal.
Ms. Judd works hard so that “anyone who wants to come and play is welcome, “she states.
The costs are reasonable so anyone can afford to participate.
-$15 for animals
-$20 for a racecar and it is $5.00 for each additional unit.
-$15 is for the first motorcycle driver and $5.00 for each additional driver. All the proceeds go to the Police Toy Drive.
-Politicians, Police, Fire Fighters, and other heroes are free. April Morris makes all the posters for their vehicles at no cost.
Travelers Rest Parade is the only one that pays each band-each one receives $300 to cover their expenses. This year the Bank of Travelers Rest sponsored the Bag Pipe Band so this new entry could take part in the parade.
The parade also pays the Pooper Scoopers $50 each to assist with the horses so the gracious animals do not get spooked from the cars driving behind them and to assist with keeping the streets clean.
Judges sit in back of a pickup truck and hand out hot chocolate that Leopards Forest Café donates for the parade… it is ”little things that make people want to be a part of the parade and embrace the feeling of welcome they receive,” exclaims Ms. Judd.
County Councilman Joe Dill and Mayor Wayne McCall enjoy being a part of the parade each year. Mr. Dill states that,” Travelers Rest is down to earth and everyone loves to be here …it is a lot like heaven.”
Mayor McCall states that “It gives people an event to come back home to see the parade and eat at the local restaurants.” People have come “as far as Atlanta to see the parade, “he says.
The Travelers Rest Parade is grateful to County Councilman Joe Dill, Councilman Willis Meadows, and the City of Travelers Rest who generously sponsor the parade.
The parade brings a little bit of Christmas to the community of Travelers Rest – puts smiles on faces and candy in pockets…and brings a feeling of unity, love and youthfulness…hopefully making each person feel like a 12 year old once again.
