Perry Parade Saved
Perry Festivity finds sponsors, and merchants prepare new event as well

By Jon Suggs, HHJ Staff Writer

Adam Smith of Warner Robins Supply, Mayor James Worrall, Police Chief George Potter, Melanie Lewis of Houston Springs, Fire Chief Freddy Howell and DMA President Lanie Nash.

PERRY – Last month, Mayor James Worrall addressed the board of directors of the Perry Area Chamber of Commerce with a long face at the group’s monthly meeting.

“I just don’t know how I’m going to tell the children of Perry that Santa Claus isn’t coming to town on the back of a fire truck this year,” he said, referring to the jolly old elf’s annual appearance during the Perry Christmas Parade.

The chamber – which sponsored the parade in years past – this year elected not to, citing as its reason a budget cut delivered by the City Council earlier this year.

Chamber officials, however, said they would he happy to work with new sponsors, if any would step forward.

They have.

Houston Springs and Warner Robins Supply are teaming up to deliver the parade, which will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, with the theme, “Home for the Holidays.”

Worrall, along with Police Chief George Potter and Fire Chief Freddy Howell, met with representatives from both organizations to make the formal announcement and begin preparations.

But that’s not all.

The parade will coincide with a new event this year: the Downtown Merchants Association’s Downtown Christmas Celebration.

Activities are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. and continue throughout the day, with the parade set to conclude the festivities.

Lanie Nash, president of the association, said plans are still coming together, but the goal is a family-friendly festival that brings the community together to celebrate.

The new event, together with the earlier running time for the parade, is expected to bring out a crowd, which last year was smaller than expected, possibly due to the chilly December night the event was held.

View original article posted on the Houston Home Journal web site

Last updated 4/26/2005