By Jessie Burchette
jburchette@salisburypost.com
CLEVELAND ó When Santa left to make a visit to the Cleveland Christmas Parade, one of his helpers must have left the door open to the North Pole.
Hundreds of spectators wrapped up and bundled themselves under blankets on a cloudy, bone-chilling Saturday afternoon.
As they waited for the 2 p.m. start, many went back to their cars and trucks, searching for another jacket, sweater or blanket.
As the first units moved down Main Street, the crowd warmed up.
The children scrambled for the candy and chewing gum tossed from the passing units.
Folks riding on the back of the tractor-trailer rigs exchanged greetings with their friends and neighbors lining the street.
The parade, minus the professional floats and trappings of bigger parades, had the air of a reunion or community barbecue.
Brian and Kimberly Redmon, of Rockwell, shared the back of their huge Dodge Ram pickup with longtime friend Kim Phillips, of Cleveland.
They never miss the parade. “It’s country,” Kimberly Redmon said, explaining why they like the parade so much.
The Redmons said they know just about everybody in the parade.
Brian added he likes the antique tractors scattered among the procession’s 50-plus units.
Rick Eagle, of Woodleaf, agreed the country touch is what makes the parade special.
His 10-year-old daughter, Rachel, tended to a friend’s dog, a Whippet named Slim.
Dressed in a thick red sweater, Slim was too busy shivering to notice the assortment of large dogs in the vicinity.
Rachel had a quick answer about what she likes in the parade. “The horses,” said Rachel, adding that she rides some.
Some parade participants found a way to keep warm.
County commissioners Tina Hall and Raymond Coltrain opted to walk alongside the antique fire truck carrying the rest of the commissioners, Chairman Carl Ford, Vice Chairman Jon Barber and Chad Mitchell.
Holding her dog’s leash in one hand, Hall joined the others in tossing candy.
The Cleveland Town Board of Commissioners walked behind an orange all-terrain vehicle carrying bins filled with candy and chewing gum.
As the town officials passed by, a spectator yelled, “It feels like a Christmas Parade!”
Someone on the other side of Main Street yelled back, “It feels like it’s going to snow!”
A line of classic cars, including a GTO, the ultimate American muscle car, brought the smell of smoke and power. Some drivers revved the engines, to the delight of spectators.
A would-be security guard wearing a bit of a fat-suit with a large belly and hips may have drawn the most laughs.
When he spotted a woman with a camera taking a picture, he yelled, “Wait, get my best side,” turning to show his backside.
The parade is sponsored by the Cleveland Lions Club with Liz Steele as parade chairwoman.
Terry Moore, a Lions Club member, continued his stint as parade announcer, a job he’s held since 1983.
Judges picked several entries for awards. The categories and winners are:
– Queen ó Rachel Raywood, South Rowan High School JROTC
– Commercial ó Kepley & Son Tractors, “Braggin Rights”
– Horse óSanta’s Helpers, Lynn & Sizota, Pam & Stormy, Ashlan & Blaze
– Humorous ó Santa Bost and His Helper ó motorcycle & side car driven by Derek and Riley Bost
– Regular ó Lutheridge Cloggers
– Antique ó Rowan County 40&8 Antique 25-foot train engine built at the Spencer Shops in 1930
– Religious ó Ostwalt Baptist Church, “Fishers of Men”
Judges included Casey Wise, of Cleveland, Nichole Fesperman, Salisbury, the Rev. Donnie C. Kent, of Third Creek AME Zion Church, and Lions District Gov. Gordon McAdams, Thomasville.