THE DAILY LEADER / RACHEL EIDE / With Mrs. Santa Clauses singing Dolly Parton’s “9-5,” the Hurst Review float, “Have a Holly, Dolly Christmas,” won the Overall Award in the float competition at Thursday night’s Brookhaven Christmas Parade.

Despite a gloomy weather forecast, rain was far from a concern at Thursday night’s annual Christmas parade celebration.

“We are very pleased that the weather held out. That was our biggest concern,” said Garrick Combs, executive director of the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce.

The parade began at approximately 6:50 p.m., signified by alarms set off by the volunteer fire brigade. From that point on, there were a steady stream of area elected officials, beauty queens, marching bands, church and charity organizations, floats, a few horses and even Santa himself at the parade.

THE DAILY LEADER / RACHEL EIDE / At the end of the parade, Santa Claus points out the good girls and boys in the crowd as he rides in his sleigh and reindeer built by community volunteers and the Brookhaven High School Construction Trades. The Santa and Reindeer float won the Best Depiction of Theme for Reed’s Metals.

City streets were packed with residents, and children excitedly scooped up candy thrown in their direction. Mardi Gras beads were a special commodity, too.

More than 20 floats slowly meandered up and down Cherokee Street, Whitworth Avenue, First Street, Railroad Avenue and Monticello Street.

Overall float winner, Hurst Review’s float, showcased Mrs. Clauses singing Dolly Parton’s “9-5.”

Other float winners included:

• Overall winner – Hurst Review

• Religious category winner – Easthaven Baptist Church

• Best depiction of theme winner – Reed’s Metals (Santa’s sleigh and reindeer built by community volunteers and Brookhaven High School Construction Trades)

• Most inspirational theme winner – Grace Baptist Church

• School category winner – Brookhaven Technical Center

• Business category winner – Pike National Bank

• Best children’s theme winner – Exchange Club

Alexander Junior High School, Loyd Star, Brookhaven High School, McComb High School and Copiah-Lincoln Community College bands were among the musical entertainment, and offered perfectly choreographed routines at the parade.

Pike National Bank’s float turned a trailer into a massive winter wonderland, loaded with white lights, a snowman, Christmas tree and a winter lodge.

Brookhaven Technical Center put the skills they have acquired during class to work, creating a massive wooden structure that was partitioned into individual workstations. Each station represented a different trade or skill such as plumbing, drafting or electrical.

The morning after showed little sign of Thursday night’s gala, despite hundreds of parade participants and thousands of pieces of candy thrown about.

Workers with the city’s public works department cleaned up the parade route well into the night, leaving the city close to spotless Friday morning.

“I am very pleased and impressed with the city’s efforts and coordination. I think the public works department deserves a ton of praise for all of their work,” Combs said.

Combs also praised the Brookhaven Police Department.

“The police department did a fantastic job last night. They kept people safe, and as far away from the railroad tracks as possible. They also coordinated with the parade committee in nearly every detail,” said Combs.

Brookhaven Chief of Police Bobby Bell was impressed by the crowd turnout.

“This is my 33rd year at the parade. I think this was the biggest crowd I have ever seen,” said Bell.

“There were no major problems and weather was on our side. People really enjoyed themselves last night. It was wonderful to see,” Bell continued.

Tyler Bridge and friends performed Christmas melodies and other classic hits on the balcony of Patrick Lowery and Associates before the parade started.

Retired Police Chief Pap Henderson was this year’s grand marshal.