Claus set to cruise

Published 11:16 am Thursday, December 7, 2017

More than 100 entries are set to ride through Cumberland County during the county’s parade, beginning Sunday at 2 p.m.

The majority of entries, Parade Organizer Barbara Gamage said, will feature classic vehicles from car clubs across the Heart of Virginia.

Five vehicles from the Heart of Virginia Classic Auto Club are set to join the parade, according to the parade lineup provided by Gamage, as well as 10 vehicles from Cumberland County-based Backyard Outlaws, 10 vehicles from the Route 600 Car Club, 10 antique vehicles from Billy Pepper, of Cumberland County, and six vehicles from Retired Cruisers, among others.

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County figures such as Fourth District Supervisor David Meinhard and Cumberland Circuit Court Clerk Kate Spry — and even Santa Claus — will cruise through the procession.

“I hope that all our citizens will enjoy this parade,” Gamage said in a statement. “It is the largest one we have had in a few years; we have more churches participating as well as individuals.”

Gamage said retired District Court Clerk Carolyn Helgeson, who served as clerk for approximately 40 years, was elected as parade marshal.

Gamage said Tuesday that Helgeson was in the hospital and would not be able to participate in the parade, but Gamage said she believed parade organizers would attach photos of Helgeson on a vehicle during the parade.

She said participants should expect an eyeful of antique and custom cars.

“If you like to see the old cars, this is the parade to attend,” Gamage said. “Many thanks go to (Third District Supervisor) Kevin Ingle and his workers, as we could not have a parade without him.”

The 2017 Cumberland County Christmas Parade lineup is as follows:

• Sheriff Darrell Hodges

• Cumberland County High School JROTC

• Christmas Parade Banner — Scouts Pack 6560 — Walking

• Girl Scouts Troops — 130 and 567

• Grand Marshal — Carolyn Helgeson — Harrison car

• American Legion Post 269

• Representative Tommy Wright — Jerry Seal driving

• Commissioner of the Revenue — Julie Phillips — Bob Green driving

• Zirkle Day Care

• Fifth District Supervisor — Parker Wheeler — Harrison car

• Christmas Mother float

• Cumberland Circuit Court Clerk — Kate Spry — Tom Spry driving

• Heart of Virginia Classic Auto Club

• District Court Clerk — Jennifer Clayton — Harrison car

• Anthony Green Logging

• Fourth District Supervisor — David Meinhard — Mary Hindman driving

• Fitzgerald Baptist Church float

• Cumberland County Public School Foundation float

• Faron Brown — antique car

• Dan Pempel — antique fire truck

• Cumberland County Branch NAACP

• Route 600 Car Club

• Girl Scouts Troop — 5201

• Poole Trucking — Kevin Nash

• Jones Chapel Baptist Church

• Southside Shriners Club

• Sycamore Grove RV Park

• Citizens and Farmers Bank

• Arthur Jenkins — 1967 Checker Cab

• Willie Smith — antique car

• Redman and Swiney’s Auto Repair Trucking

• B.E. Redman Trucking

• Shiloh New Covenant Church

• Randolph Family Motor Express

• Cumberland Rescue Squad

• Tom and Jerry Racing — 1968 Pro Camaro

• Jr. Miss Five County Fair — Vivian Eason

• Cartersville Red Hat Society

• Billy Pepper — antique vehicle

• Boy Scouts Troop 6357

• Cartersville Volunteer Fire Department

• Smokey the Bear — Forest Service

• Cartersville Volunteer Rescue Squad

• Cumberland High School FCCLA

• Backyard Outlaws Car Club

• Buffalo Soldiers of Virginia Motorcycle Club — 15 motorcycles

• J.R. Tharpe Trucking

• Cumberland Youth League

• Cumberland Restaurant

• Sherman Langhorne — antique car

• Marion Brothers Logging

• Marion Brothers Trucking

• Above the Rest MC/SC/AC Motor Club

• Stoney Point Hunt Club

• Bear Creek Lake State Park float

• Retired Cruisers — antique vehicle

• Retired Cruisers

• Randolph District Volunteer Fire Department

• DA COLBY HARRIS — antique truck

• Cumberland Volunteer Fire Department

• Cumberland County High School Marching Band

• Santa — Harrison car