Each year on the Monday after Thanksgiving, the Downtown Christmas Parade takes place. Broad Street and Smith Avenue become crowded with eager children and happy families ready to welcome the holiday season as Santa makes his first official appearance. This has become a tradition that many look forward to. For several years, the Thomasville YMCA has organized and directed the Downtown Christmas Parade.

 There is a lot of planning and preparation that goes into organizing such an event, and as the Downtown Christmas Parade director I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those that work so hard to make it happen.

 First, I would like to say thank you to our parade sponsors. We had 12 sponsored floats this year.  The sponsors were Thomasville National Bank, Downtown Thomasville, The Gift Shop, Rose City Federal Credit Union, Southwest Georgia Technical College, Senior Life Insurance Company, Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins, Commercial Bank, Chick-Fil-A, Thomas County Federal, Thomasville Christian School, Waffle House, Thomas Drug Store and the Thomasville YMCA.

 Second, I would like to say thank you to Green South Equipment Company. Green South donates the tractors that pull the sponsored floats. The tractors are driven by volunteers.  Green South and the volunteers that work with us are truly a blessing.

 Next, I would like to say thank you to the Thomasville Police Department and the Thomas County Sherriff’s Office.   This year, we had an unexpected wrench thrown into our line-up plans with Clay Street in disrepair. It was that the TPD made sure that we had exactly what we needed to ensure a successful event. The TPD and TCSO do an amazing job at making sure we are safe, and we couldn’t be more thankful. The safety of our participants and spectators is their priority, and for that we are very grateful.

 Others that deserve our gratititude are the Public Works Department, the City Engineers Office, the Department of Transportation, the Thomas County Health Department and the Main Street Office.

 Lastly, I would like to thank the staff of the Thomasville YMCA. Without complaint, it pulls together. Everyone knows their roles and pushes through this event rain or shine. They are dedicated and it is their stance that “the show must go on,” and they make it happen. Never have I seen such teamwork, but I suppose you could expect nothing less from the YMCA.

 I had the privilege of following Santa down Broad Street and up Smith Avenue to close the parade out. Watching the families gathered together, cheering and clapping, hugging each other at the site of Santa was truly inspirational. This parade, this long line of 94 (or more) vehicles  decorated with tinsel and adorned in lights did exactly what the Y sets out to do every day – make families stronger and bring our community together.  We are truly honored to be in the company of those that work so hard to make this happen.

 I am certain there is someone I am not listing, so I apologize in advance. It is not with intent I leave anyone out, but with heart-felt sincerity that I say thank you to each and every person that played a role in the Downtown Christmas Parade this year.

 

 Misty Vinson-Spitzer

Marketing & Communications

Thomasville YMCA