It was worth waiting for.
The Poarch Christmas Parade was postponed from Friday, December 8, to Tuesday, December 19. On the 8th, the weather forecast was for sleet and snow. On the 19th, many of the people in the parade and those lining the route were in short sleeves. And, as the parade rolled, there was patchy fog in the area. True South Alabama weather.
The theme for this year’s parade was Traditions of Christmas. Those who built the floats displayed a tremendous amount of work and planning while staying true to the theme. The only thing missing were marching bands, but schools were out for Christmas, so bands were not available.
The top three floats were (as scored by a panel of three judges)
First place – PCI Facilities Department – 12 Days of Christmas
Second place –Tribal Gaming Commission – Christmas Candy
Third place – PCI Housing Department – Christmas Movie Marathon
The People’s Choice award went to PCI Facilities Department 12 Days of Christmas. This award was judged by random people who came out to watch the parade.
Other floats were as follows:
Toys – Fred McGhee Learning Center
Gingerbread House – Education Department
T’was The Night Before Christmas – Utilities
Christmas Stockings – Recreation
Christmas Cheer In the Kitchen – Boys & Girls Club
Building A Snowman – PCI Fire Department
Also participating were PCI Police, Tribal Princess Jennifer McGhee, Tribal Council, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Mike Lambert, Poarch Fire Department, Lottie Volunteer Fire Department, Uriah Fire Department, Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. of Atmore, Baldwin County Shriners Club, Atmore Chamber Ambassadors, Boys and Girls Club Archery Team, and Torch Club.
