CROUSE, N.C. – The small southern community of Crouse is everything we love about a small place. On this day there were many activities going on including a parade.
Starting off the day in the community of Crouse the folks at Crouse United Methodist Church held a craft, bake, and hot dog sale to raise money for some mission projects. The early parade goers stopped in to shop and buy food and by the time for the start of the parade at one o’clock we hear that all the hot dogs had been sold and the bakery items were almost gone.
A parade is a celebration that just captures the heart of a small community where they can cheer for their favorite farmer driving his tractor, a car collector’s dream or an elderly person riding in a parade for the very first time.
There were about 35 entries in the Second Annual Crouse Christmas Parade this year. The parade is organized by the Crouse Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and is held rain or shine. Thankfully this year the day had more shine than rain like it did last year! The parade might have been small but there is always the possibility for growth each year.
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church was one of the few floats in the parade but the people on the float had a great time singing Christmas Carols throughout the parade route. On this particular float was 93-year-old Grady Ramsey who was enjoying his first time ever being in a parade.
Middle Cross Baptist was in the parade again this year with kids and parents dressed up in the traditional nativity scene, which reminds us of the true meaning of the season.
Then there was a float with a “live” Christmas tree!
Many go to parades that last for hours, to see big floats that inspire oohs and aahs but in a place like Crouse the entries in the parade were kids on the back of a pickup, riding a bicycle with a parent walking beside them, riding a decorated horse, or moving along in a golf cart.
Here you are at a parade to applaud your family, neighbors and friends who have gathered for a short time on a sunny afternoon to have some fun and wish everyone a Merry Christmas.
The Crouse Parade, like most parades, was led off by some official cars and trucks with sirens blaring, as in this case the Lincoln County Sheriff’s vehicle, then the fire trucks from Crouse and South Fork Fire Departments. Every young child’s delight to see and hear them as they travelled the parade route from Swanson Road to Pleasant Grove Church Road, then west on Old Highway 150 “Downtown Crouse” to the end of that road.
The West Lincoln NJROTC “Rebel Navy” Drill Team came next, then the floats, decorated cars, tractors, and other entries in the parade.
Last, but not least, was the organizers of the parade on the back of a pickup with none other than Santa Claus waving to all of those who lined the parade route. Santa, after the parade, stopped at Mem’ry Lane Antiques & Finds in Crouse to visit with the kids and enjoy some Christmas treats and hot apple cider.
If you ever hear of a small town parade you won’t regret going to it. Be inspired to join in, march, dance, sing, or just watch. Everyone has a different reaction but there is something special about the experience. For at least a day you’ll feel like you have been a part of small town Americana. We can’t wait now for the Fourth of July Parade in Crouse!
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