Festival of Lights Christmas parade winners

The 54th Annual Festival of Lights Christmas Parade was held on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. The Parade Marshal, Ms. Sharnae Pegues, led the annual night-time parade that began at 6 p.m.

The parade had over 60 entries that were categorized into 5 divisions: Church, Small Business, Large Business, Education and Clubs/Individuals/Organizations. Parade judges are asked to look at each entry and score them for special effects, creativity, use of theme, and overall on a numbering system with one being lowest and five being the highest score.

“We are excited to announce the winners of the parade this year,” says Georgia Henderson, Public Information Director. “We had some outstanding floats that really represented our theme well.”

Congratulations to the following winners: Overall Winner – Westwood Baptist Church, Overall Best In Creativity – McRae Coca-Cola, Overall Best Musical Performance – Danny’s Allstar Marching Band. Church – 1st – New Hope Covenant Christian Fellowship Church, 2nd – Harvest Time Church of God, 3rd – Empowerment Center International Ministries. Small Business – 1st On Your Toes Dance Studio, 2nd – Parker’s Pet Palace, 3rd – Mike’s Golf Carts & Powersports. Large Business – 1st Cynergy Cargo, LLC, 2nd – Premium Peanut, 3rd – Pilgrim’s. Education – 1st – South Georgia State College, 2nd – Satilla Elementary Show Choir, 3rd – Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. Clubs/Individuals/Organizations – 1st – American Legion Post 515, 2nd – Boys & Girls Club of Coffee County Region, 3rd – Angels for Orphans.

Special thanks to Prince Ford, parade judges, parade sponsors (Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce, Coffee County Commission, & City of Douglas), 2017 entries and everyone who came out to support this traditional community parade. Next year’s parade will be on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, at 6 p.m. The theme will be announced at a later date.