50th COTR draws enthusiastic crowds
Confetti canons, bubble guns, the mingling aromas of turkey legs, funnel cakes, loaded dogs and chili; dancing majorettes, beauty queens from then and now, items to tempt Christmas bargain hunters, flyovers.
Christmas on the River 2021 had a little something for everyone.
Demopolis celebrated the return of its popular holiday event with picture-perfect weather as thousands of spectators lined the streets to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Day Parade.
Saturday started with the 5K Jingle Bell Run, won by 16-year-old Jaylen Reed of Demopolis with a time of 19:19.
Even before the race ended, shoppers visited the scores of vendors in and around the Public Square to grab goodies before they disappeared. One of the most popular items for sale could be recognized with colorful bubbles drifting in the air as children tried out their bubble guns.
While long lines could be seen in front of each food vendor, perhaps the longest was the line of fans waiting to get weatherman James Spann to autograph their copies of his book.
As time for the Day Parade to start drew near, most of those attending COTR abandoned the booths and lined Walnut and Strawberry Avenues. They weren’t disappointed. To mark the start of the parade, four fixed wing aircraft trainers from NAS Meridian flew along the parade route to the delight of the crowd.
Joining the colorful floats created by the COTR Committee and volunteers were individual entries from families and businesses. The Bucurel Family won the golf cart decorating contest.
Riding one of the new floats to celebrate the 50th COTR were women who served as Miss Christmas on the River in past years. Another float featured Demopolis symbols such as the gazebo and fountain in the Public Square and a colorful rooster.
Four school marching bands struck up holiday tunes, but the biggest cheers were reserved for the Jeff Davis High School Band from Montgomery and its dancing drum major.
