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When you hear the words “Christmas Spirit”, what comes to mind? What embodies Christmas for you and your family? Do you think of Santa? Rudolph? Maybe gingerbread houses and stockings hanging by the wall? Cumberland residents and groups interpreted the idea in different ways Sunday, as “Christmas Spirit” was the theme for the county’s annual Christmas parade on Dec. 8. 

“It was a beautiful day for a parade and we appreciated all the entries as well as the many spectators!!” said Barbara Gamage. She was one of the parade organizers. “Kevin Ingle and his group did an amazing job of getting everyone lined up and moving!!” 

Some floats had a combination of Duke Pride, honoring Cumberland High, and Christmas, with cardboard cutouts of gingerbread men and houses. Others went fishing, showing off a cartoon wilderness to remind people of Bear Creek Lake State Park. And some other entries involved hopping on a lawn mower and towing a makeshift train of children and candy canes, with kids smiling and waving to the crowd. 

Starting everything off was the Scales family, serving as grand marshals. The four children of Robert L. and Betty Gilliam Scales honored their parents in the event, with Dr. Jeff Scales, Michael Scales, Rita Scales Mayberry and Patricia Scales all taking part. The late Robert and Betty Scales were both well-known educators in Cumberland and the surrounding areas. 

Cumberland welcomes the season 

For more than 20 years, a group of Cumberland County residents have gathered together and helped assemble the Christmas parade. This year’s edition followed a similar recipe to the past. There were floats, plenty of music from the Cumberland High Marching Band and Santa did in fact pay a visit, riding in the back of a truck at the end of the parade. 

And with all those entries, there were several winners, with judges handing out awards in multiple categories. Here’s a look at the winners from Saturday: 

Best in Car Club – Billy Pepper

Second in Car Club – Blanton Car Club 

Best in Stock Car Club – Fay Martin

Best Antique Truck – Tommy Blackwell

Best Antique Emergency Vehicle – Dan Pempel

Modified Street Car – Mike Gaines and Anthony Greene tied

Best Stock Antique Car – Tyler Ingle

Best in Fire Department – Cumberland Fire Department

Commercial Business – Marion Brothers and Taylor Motor tied for first place, Charles Hatcher came in second place. 

Religious Floats First Place – Fitzgerald Baptist Church

Band First Place – Cumberland Marching Band

Marching Units First Place – Cumberland Cheerleaders, Cumberland JROTC came in second place 

Educational Floats – Cumberland Educational Foundation first place, Cumberland FFA came in second place and Cumberland Youth Athletic Association finished third. 

Civic Organizations – Bear Creek Lake State Park finished first, Virginia Take A Walk With Us came in second. 

Commercial Floats – Zirkle Daycare finished in first place, with Twin Pine Tree Service in second place and Tyson Contracting and Excavation in third. 

Best Float in Show – Fitzgerald Baptist Church