BOYKINS—Sunday’s forecasted 100 percent chance of rain didn’t stop Boykins’ 36th Annual Christmas Parade.

“The rain kept the (Southampton High School) band, Junior ROTC and several other entries from participating, but as Town Sgt. George Brozzo started the parade down the street, more than half of those who had signed up followed behind,” said Boykins Councilwoman and Parade Co-Chairwoman Linda Beatty.

The parade sponsored by the Town of Boykins, GFWC Tarrara Woman’s Club and Boykins Lions Club was to include a modern-day, record high 65 units. The rain held off until about 2 p.m. — line-up time.

“By then, about a dozen entries had already pulled into the staging area because it wasn’t raining,” Beatty said. “As more entries arrived, so did a slow rain that held out the entire parade.”

Grand Marshall Dr. Tim Fuller drove his restored Mercedes convertible, with Snow Queen Jessica Cobb and Southampton County Fair Queen Megan Revelle inside due to the rain.

Mayor Spier Edwards had a covering for his golf cart and was followed by council members in two vehicles.

“A great deal of thought had gone into the decorating of many of the floats, and despite the rain, the kids wanted to be a part of the parade,” Beatty said.

Southampton County Supervisor Carl Faison and County Administrator Mike Johnson judged floats.

Winners were:

Most Appealing to Children — First, Frosty the Snowman created by Kay Covington; second, Dr. Win Browne’s Tooth Float

True Meaning of Christmas — First, Boykins Baptist Church; second, Boykins United Methodist Church

Most Original — First, GFWC Tarrara Woman’s Club; second, Alpha Kappa Alpha

Best in Parade — Boykins Lions Club

Several units from Boykins and surrounding communities’ fire and rescue squads brought their equipment. Some groups walked the complete route including Boykins Outreach Steppers and J. Walker Youth Group.

“The most amazing thing was that there were parade watchers standing under awnings, in doorways and from their cozy vehicles,” Beatty said. “Kids were rewarded with candy tossed by entrants, even in the rain. The Mayor drove a few more miles than any other entry because he maneuvered from one side of the street to the other, pulling his golf cart as close to the sidewalks as possible so the kids didn’t have to jump over puddles to get the candy.”

Other parade co-chairmen were Kitty Lassiter, Mary Elizabeth Washington and Mike McManus. Rick Francis staged the entries and directed them into the line-up. Gayle Johnson assisted with the judging, and Southampton County Sheriff’s Department provided traffic control.

“Only once before has it rained on our parade (it started raining as it was halfway through the route), but never in the history of Boykins parades has the event started in the rain,” Beatty said. “Our special appreciation to all who planned, participated or watched as we made this 36th parade one for the memory book.”