Rain delays Christmas parade but doesn’t dampen spirits

After rain caused the annual event to be rescheduled to Sunday, Dec. 15, county citizens enjoyed watching the Annual Benton County Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade proceed down Main Street. The theme of the parade this year was Superheroes.

The weather held on Sunday afternoon as parade participants lined up at the Carhart parking lot. There were entries from area first responders and fire departments, a variety of floats, beauty queens, the Punishers Motorcycle Club, jeep clubs, classic cars, a horse and buggy, individual riders on horseback, and of course Santa Claus.

Grand Marshal Bobby “Flash” Melton, a local superhero of cheer to all who know him, threw candy to parade goers from a Chevy Corvette driven by Brad Hopkins of Hopkins Apothecary.

“I am excited and honored to serve as the Grand Marshal, but the true superheroes in our community are the Camden Water Department, the first responders, the fire departments, the road crews, and the volunteers who addressed our recent water crisis a couple of weeks ago,” Melton said.

The Camden Fire Department’s entry was in memory of another area superhero, the late Travis Pierce. Pierce served on the CFD for many years, and also was a long-term member of the Camden Board of Aldermen.

A special entry this year was the Camden Central High School Marching Lions Band. The band played Christmas carols the whole parade route, adding a great motivating aspect to the enjoyment of the parade. Job well done!