Celebrating Christmas with community and creativity
Published 6:27 pm Wednesday, January 4, 2023
Dairy Queen greets those in attendance at the Franklin Christmas Parade with a float featuring a Christmas tree, a gingerbread house and a waving Blizzard. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
The float from Franklin Municipal Power and Light brings, fittingly, a powerful extravaganza of light to the parade Friday, Dec. 2. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
In the Franklin parade, East Coast Buildings presents one of its buildings decorated for Christmas. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
The Khedive Shriners, based out of Chesapeake, showcase a swashbuckling theme as they proceed through the Franklin Christmas Parade. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
The Down the Middle Foundation advances down South Main Street with waving staff members flanking an icicle-rimmed gingerbread house filled with children. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
The Southampton High School Marching Indians inject their infectious energy into the Franklin Christmas Parade on Friday, Dec. 2. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Managing to show some Christmas cheer at Franklin’s Christmas parade is the Grinch. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
The large Franklin Police Mobile Command unit participates in the Franklin Christmas Parade on Friday, Dec. 2. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Franklin’s mayoral candidates this year greet citizens from the right window of a gingerbread float during the 2022 Franklin Christmas Parade. In the right window, Ward 4 Councilman Dr. Linwood Johnson is pictured as Ward 6 Councilman and Mayor-Elect Robert “Bobby” Cutchins throws out candy. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Helping represent the host city’s high school in the 2022 Franklin Christmas Parade is Franklin High School’s marching band. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Franklin High School cheerleaders lead the school’s participation in the city’s Christmas parade Friday, Dec. 2. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
A golden-fringed and Christmas-lighted truck represents the Franklin Department of Parks and Recreation during the city’s Christmas parade. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Southampton County Sheriff Josh A. Wyche Sr. and his office contribute to the 2022 Franklin Christmas Parade. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
S.P. Morton Elementary School’s Gingerbread Village is brimming with light and children. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
S.P. Morton Elementary School’s Gingerbread Village is brimming with light and children. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
A patriotic float infused with Christmas seasoning represents the Sgt. Jayton D. Patterson Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4411 at the 2022 Franklin Christmas Parade. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
The Windsor High School Marching Dukes contribute to the Franklin Christmas Parade on Friday, Dec. 2. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Franklin Brothers Keepers and Women of Grace, Strength and Dignity bring season’s greetings to the people lining South Main Street amid the 2022 Franklin Christmas Parade. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Showing Christmas cheer in their smiles, outfits and energy are representatives of the YMCA as they participate in Franklin’s parade. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Norfolk Naval Shipyard presents a miniaturized Navy vessel outlined with Christmas lights. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
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The 2022 Franklin Christmas Parade was an outstanding success that drew strong praise from community leaders for both the quality of its floats and the record size of the crowd that it drew to the city’s downtown area.
Taking place Friday evening, Dec. 2, the parade traveled along 4th Avenue and Main Street, and people lined the streets to see the procession that included representatives from local government, civic and community groups, churches, schools, businesses and more.
“I believe the Christmas parade was one of the best we’ve had,” Franklin Mayor Frank M. Rabil said. “The quality of the floats, the number of participants and the great bands were exceptional. We had a tremendous, well-behaved crowd and a beautiful night for the parade. A huge ‘thank you’ to all the organizers and to all that participated in this community event.”
Franklin City Manager Amanda C. Jarratt described the parade as one of the best in recent history.
“We had record attendance and tremendous creativity on the floats,” she said. “The city extends a tremendous ‘thank you’ to the Parks and Recreation Department and the entire parade committee for their months of work to make the night so special. We also appreciate the support of the volunteers and business owners that contributed. It was a great way to kick-start the holiday season in the city.”
