Group wants to revive Faison Christmas parade
By Bonnie Edwards
Published in News on October 27, 2004 2:00 PM
FAISON -- Santa Claus may be riding in another Christmas parade.
Faison officials had decided in September not to have a parade, but a group of residents is hoping to change their minds.
About 16 members of the Faison Improvement Group decided Tuesday night to plan the parade, if the town board agrees.
Faison's Christmas parade is normally the second Saturday in December.
"We can get a Santa Claus," said group member Bill Creech, who organized the Market Day Parade. "I've got some (parade entries) already who say they want to be in the parade, and all I have to do is place a phone call."
Creech envisions a new kind of Christmas parade, something more like the Market Day Parade that was held Saturday to celebrate the town's agricultural heritage. Santa doesn't have to ride in on a fire truck with sirens going, like he does in all the other towns, said Creech.
"Let Santa ride on something else besides a fire truck," he said. "I want every church in town to have a float. ... If there weren't but 10 entries, I think we should have it."
Ann Taylor cautioned the group to dare to be different, to continue having a unique festival and "not like all the other towns."
The Market Day Parade ended up with more than 38 entries, and people have complimented the group on it.
Town Commissioner Jane Hollingsworth said the town's Christmas parade died for lack of attention, and people have been upset that the town decided to stop holding it.
The group is looking for volunteers to be on the Parade Committee. Anyone interested in being on the committee should call Faison Town Hall at 910-267-2721.