MERLE MONAHAN/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
merlemonah@aol.com

IVOR—The annual Christmas parade sponsored by the Town of Ivor drew more than 40 entrants Sunday, the largest since the event was started three years ago.

“We’re just thrilled,” said Ivor Mayor, Sandra Vick. “About the only thing we were short on were high school marching bands.”

“Windsor was here, but the others were unavailable,” she added.

Vick, who initiated the first parade and community event, said the celebration has drawn so much interest that she feels it will continue for many years.

“It is a wonderful way to bring the community together,” she said, “to enjoy fellowship and to see old acquaintances.”

Starting at 3 p.m., the parade featured everything from floats, to open convertibles with kings and queens from two high schools, Ivor mayor Sandra Vick, and Santa Claus.

There were horses, motorcycles, golf carts, a marching band and fire trucks from seven different fire departments.

Ivor Fire Chief Carl Garner rode as the grand marshal in the department’s very first fire truck, a 1951 Ford, while both Windsor and Wakefield followed in their first engines, a 1947 Chevrolet and a 1936 Ford, respectively.

“Everything just came together beautifully,” said Vick.

Following the parade, entertainment was offered in the Municipal Building auditorium. Aside from several musical programs during the afternoon, there were two children’s events, a crafts room on one side of the auditorium and a puppet show on the other.

A free dinner of Brunswick stew and dessert was served by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Ivor Rescue Squad just prior to the lighting of the Cody Stallard Memorial Christmas Tree.

Vick said after the lighting, “The town of Ivor has been known as the “Village of Candlelight” during the Christmas season for many years.”

“We would like to urge all residents to place at least one candle in a window throughout the season,” she added.