By Merle Monahan/Contributing Writer
merlemonah@aol.com

IVOR
Despite a cold and windy afternoon, the Ivor Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony drew more than 200 town and community residents on Sunday, making it one of the largest crowds since the event was begun five years ago.

“I was extremely happy,” said Mayor Sandra Vick. “It is so good to see the community come together like this”

The festivities began at 3 p.m., when more than 50 parade entrants left the Pines of Ivor on Main Street, turned off on Gayle Avenue, then Babb Drive. Facing the Ivor Municipal Building at the end of Babb, it turned on Bell Avenue, then on Rawls Drive and back to Main and the Pines.

A highlight of the parade, which carried the theme, “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” was the appearance of the town’s oldest resident, Margaret Felts, 92. Felts, who has lived in Ivor since 1944, rode in an automobile driven by her nephew, Mert Felts.

Following the parade, spectators gathered in the Town Municipal Building, where country music was provided by George Atkins and four of his friends. During and after a dinner of Brunswick stew, provided by the Ivor Rescue Squad’s Ladies Auxiliary the Nottoway children’s choir sang a medley of Christmas carols. The Millfield Baptist Church puppets also were on hand to entertain the younger group.

Concluding the program, the crowd sang carols outside, just prior to lighting the Cody Stallard Memorial Christmas Tree.