The Hatteras Village Christmas Parade enjoyed a sunny start on Saturday, Dec. 13, with cool 50 degree weather and an even cooler breeze. But the chill in the air didn’t stop several hundred locals and visitors from lining along NC Highway 12 in between Teach’s Lair marina and the Hatteras Drive-in to cheer on the floats.
There were Thirty-one parade entries, led by Dare County Sheriff Rodney Midgett, the parade’s grand marshal. The participants ranged from elaborate floats to vintage cars and motorcycles, and trucks from all of the island’s volunteer fire departments. The Hatteras Island Rescue Squad appeared with their truck, as did the Cape Hatteras EMC, and the Coast Guard made an appearance toting a boat along the parade route. In between the floats and big trucks, kids on bikes and dogs and their owners walked alongside the parade.
The parade also featured two bands: the marching band from First Flight High School and the Cape Hatteras Secondary School of Coastal Studies band, and all the entries displayed holiday decorations.
Standout floats included Buxton’s Conner’s Supermarket, which celebrated their 50th anniversary with a giant birthday cake and accompanying sign which read “On our 50th Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas” and the Cape Hatteras Angler Club’s float which reminded onlookers that “bingo and barbecues = community and scholarships.”
After the parade, most people, participants and spectators alike, headed to the Hatteras Village Civic Center for hot chocolate and sweets and the presentation of the awards.
The winners of the three $250 awards for floats were:
- Most Creative – Cape Hatteras Anglers Club
- Most Comical – Creative Balance for their “Dune Billy Queens” float
- Most Community Spirited – Cape Hatteras Middle School basketball teams for sponsoring the Hatteras Island Food Pantry
Organizers agreed that the parade was one of the smoothest and best attended in memory, thanks to the chilly but beautiful weather, and everyone looks forward to doing it again in 2009.
