Fulton Christmas parade attracts huge crowds during break in storm

Members of the Moore family ride in a family float that was the grand marshal's winning float Saturday in the Fulton Jaycees Christmas parade. See more Christmas parade photos on Page 5.
Members of the Moore family ride in a family float that was the grand marshal's winning float Saturday in the Fulton Jaycees Christmas parade. See more Christmas parade photos on Page 5.

Although the day started and ended with heavy rain, skies parted just in time to allow a big crowd to attend the Fulton Jaycees 2011 Christmas parade.

Martha McGrath, president of the Fulton Jaycees, said she was overjoyed by the break in the weather.

"It turned out to be a great day for a parade. We had a few floats not show up but we also had some arrive that we were not expecting," she said.

About 80 parade units participated in the parade.

Emma White, a first-grader at McIntire Elementary School in Fulton, said it was the second time she had attended the parade. "I like the candy and the floats," she said.

She was brought to the parade by her father, Mike White of Fulton.

Three children of Ashley Rue attended their first Christmas parade Saturday.

They were Dillon, 9; Bradon, 4; and Natalie, 2. "I like the horses," said Bradon.

"It is so warm and wonderful today. It doesn't feel like December," said Mrs. Rue.

This year the Moore family of Fulton was the grand marshal's winning float. Members of the family said about 30 members of the family worked about a month preparing the float.

This marks the 11th year the family has been entered a float and the family has won an award each year.

The float theme for this year is Joyeux Noel, the name of a 2005 movie about the World War 1 Christmas truce along the Western front.

The theme was chosen to emphasize the meaning of Christmas and peace on earth. The movie was based on a true event when some British, French and German troops put aside all combat action along two-thirds of the Western Front during Christmas Day.

The Jaycees chose a military theme to honor Fulton native Tyler Huffman, who was this year's parade marshal.

Huffman is a Marine veteran who returned home from Afghanistan after combat injuries left him partially paralyzed.

All of the prize-winning floats this year had entries illustrating the parade's theme.

The first place award went to a float from the First Christian Church. Second place honors were garnered by the United Way of Callaway County and St. Peters Church won the third place award.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.