MIYAH MARTIN
Contributor
Led by the high school’s band, South Pittsburg held its annual Christmas parade. It was last Saturday, December 6 at 10 a.m. The theme was celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, the event featuring Grand Marshall Jarvis Wooten.
With eager excitement, the town of South Pittsburg crowded along the sidewalks of Cedar Avenue. To start the parade, the SPHS band led with the SPHS Interact Club following closely behind. Dressed in festive costumes, the Interact Club had elves, a Christmas bear, and many other characters.
With them leading the way, this year’s Grand Marshall, Jarvis Wooten, made his way down Cedar Avenue. Jarvis Wooten is a very community centric man. Wooten worked for SVEC for forty-six years and has been the Building Inspector for over 17 years. Wooten is also an involved associate of Mt. Bethlehem’s Baptist Church. Beloved by many peers, he was considered by many to be a great choice for this year’s Grand Marshall.
Behind them, the South Pittsburg Little League football team and cheerleaders rode on the trailers of large vehicles, throwing candy in every direction. Then, the junior and SPHS cheerleaders rode close behind, throwing candies as well. After them, this year’s 2025 Miss Queens and Miss Christmases rode in separate cars, giving the kids in the crowd various sweets.
Fire departments from all around the county joined the festivities — not just South Pittsburg’s. Fire trucks from Haletown, New Hope, Foster Falls, Sweetens Cove, Jasper Highlands, all the way to Whitwell were there. Additionally, South Pittsburg High School’s D.A.R.E. officer Brandon Price pulled the program’s side-by-side.
Lastly, the moment the town had waited for, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus both rode in a 1929 American LaFrance, spreading Christmas joy to on looking spectators. Behind them, horses trotted happily. With roads full of discarded candy, the parade was a hit with the community, the Christmas spirit evident in every child’s smile during the annual parade.
Photos by Miyah Martin