Christmas Parade: A Special Day
By ANGELA FARR KING
At 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 6, 2025, people were beginning to place their chairs along Main Avenue in Taylorsville to stake out their spots for the 78th Annual Christmas Parade, which was set to begin at 3:00 p.m. Experienced parade goers know it’s best to arrive early to get a close parking spot and to get a front row seat. It’s also important to get a spot that allows little ones easy access for candy grabbing. Those in attendance were bundled up for the overcast and cold day, a day that was perfect weather for a Christmas parade, especially for photos without the glare of the sun. A Christmas parade just isn’t the same when it’s hot outside and it certainly isn’t much fun when it rains, so Saturday’s weather was just right. As the time moved closer to the 3:p.m. start time, the sidewalks filled up with bystanders of all ages ready to enjoy this festive holiday tradition. When children saw the police lights flashing and heard the band playing, they began to jump and squeal with delight. Shouts of “They are coming!” could be heard all along the sides of the parade route.
The children were eagerly waiting with their bags for the anticipated candy that would be thrown their way from many of those in the parade lineup. This is a Taylorsville tradition that children look forward to each year.
According to Gary Herman, the Public Information Officer for Alexander County Government, there were approximately 240 entrants in the parade this year, which was up from 220 last year and this included 14 beautifully decorated floats. The parade was led by Taylorsville Police Chief Mike Millsaps and followed by the Junior ROTC from Alexander Central High School. The ACHS band was next and they are always a fan favorite because they can be heard in the distance so folks know the parade is coming. George Herman, who recently retired from the Alexander County Public Works & Facilities Department after 20 years of service, was the Grand Marshal for the parade.
The Alexander County Sheriff’s Department debuted their new armored vehicle, called the Batt-X, and the Grinch was seen in the open hatch. This was just one of the many emergency vehicles seen in the parade. There were firetrucks, police cars, rescue ATVs, rescue boats, a 911 emergency services vehicle, a float representing the fifth grade D.A.R.E. program, an ambulance, and the Post Overdose Response Team vehicle. The Officer of the Year for the Taylorsville Police Department, Joshua Daniels, was represented in a vehicle as well. These types of vehicles add a great deal of excitement for the children and show how much the community is supported by their emergency services departments.
Parade goers were able to take a journey back in time by watching the Apple City Street Rodders drive by. There was a 1939 Chevy, a 1966 Chevelle convertible, and a 1930 Model A, to name a few. Some were even decorated for Christmas. These classic cars are always a joy to see.
Several churches participated in the parade to emphasize the true meaning of Christmas and to invite communities to their houses of worship. There were recreational sports teams represented as well as some school athletic programs. The West Alexander Cheerleaders were extremely enthusiastic on their float. The ACHS Booster club was well represented on a colorful float in Cougar colors.
Some of the more elaborate floats in the parade were created by Taylorsville Savings Bank, Little Stitches Embroidery, Iredell Health Family Care Center, HighER Level Urgent Care, Hancock & Moore, Worley ElectriCOOL, Riley’s Heart Queens, Alexander County Animal Services, Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Alexander Funeral Home Service, Hartness Hometown Properties and Martin Starnes & Associates. Of course, the most anticipated float was the one carrying Santa and Mrs. Claus at the very end of the parade.
A series of antique tractors made their way down Main Street and this was another highlight. They seem to signify one of the backbones of Alexander County, which is agriculture. These vehicles always bring cheers and applause from the crowd because Alexander County residents are proud of their farmers.
There were also Boy Scouts, race car drivers, government officials, school clubs, and veterans with their prized helicopter riding through town. This parade was longer than usual and it had everything that a hometown parade should have. Most importantly, it had community interaction. Children were waving, giggling, smiling, and scrambling for candy. Adults were relaxed and cheering and waving at friends. There were feelings of joy, trust, and familiarity in the air as people seemed to understand that this was something very special.
These types of events are unique to small towns like Taylorsville where most everyone knows someone either in the parade or on the sidelines. In addition to Hometown Christmas, this was a wonderful Kickoff to Christmas in Taylorsville. It isn’t the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, but that’s a good thing. It’s the Taylorsville Christmas Parade and it brings the entire community together each and every year.
