Clif Knight

Hartselle Enquirer

The town of Somerville ushered in the Christmas season with a festive, fun-filled street parade Saturday morning.

The annual event attracted about 50 participating units, an increase over the previous year, and followed a new, longer route that started on the north side of Highway 67. It passed on the north side of the historic Morgan County Courthouse and disbanded in the north parking lot of Somerville Baptist Church.

“We always have great support from the community and that was demonstrated today by the large number of floats we have in the parade and the number of people we had riding in them,” said Mayor Darren Tucker. “The cooler weather we’re having was offset by plenty of sunshine and a blue sky. It’s a great day for a Christmas parade.”

The field of hand-decorated floats reflected the imagination and skills of several local church congregations, civic clubs and community organizations. Some provided recorded and live Christmas music and riders greeted viewers and passed out candy to kids along the parade route.

Somerville Civitan Club was awarded the honor of serving as the parade’s grand marshal. Riding on its float were special needs children and their caregivers. Members of Somerville Baptist Church’s pre-k class and children’s choir made their appearances on separate floats.

Miss Somerville, Anna Patterson, and Little Miss Somerville, Kadence Truss, participated in the parade.

Santa and Mrs. Claus joined the parade in a decorative. custom-built sleigh seated on a flatbed trailer. They greeted onlookers and kept the kids busy collecting the candy that was thrown in their direction.

Their red and white vehicle has a direct tie to the community. It was designed and built by Randy Nunnelly and the late Jerry Slaten.