Chilly weather doesn't dampen spirit of Newbern Rotary Christmas Parade

Ol' Saint Nicholas, visiting from the North Pole, paid a visit to Newbern to see all of the good boys and girls. He could be heard wishing everyone a 'Merry Christmas'.

There were around 125 entries in this year's parade making it almost an hour long. The grand marshal of this year's parade was Jimmy Flowers. He is Newbern's oldest Rotarian and is considered an anchor of the community.

The familiar faces of Steve and Patty Williams emceed the parade as entrants showed their Christmas spirit as they passed the judging stand.

Cinderella sits high atop her throne before the clock strikes 12, as she rides on the McIver's Grant Public Library float. The library's float, which depicted storybook characters placed second in the civic group category. [Click to enlarge]

Five-year-old Kyleigh Preslar ignores the candy being thrown to her and instead yells to Santa Claus to have a 'Merry Christmas'. [Click to enlarge]

The winners of the religious group floats were: First place - Christ Classical Academy; Second place - RoEllen Baptist Church; Third place - Finley Baptist Church.

The winners of the civic group floats were: First place - Dyersburg Chapter of the FFA; Second place - McIver's Grant Public Library; Third place - The Shade Tree Tractor Club.

Numerous antique cars were driven down Main Street, bringing back memories for some and a glimpse at the past for others.

Newbern Christmas Parade Grand Marshal Jimmy Flowers (left) is chauffeured down Main Street during Thursday's parade. A retired insurance agent, Flowers is a charter member of the Newbern Rotary Club and is considered an anchor of the community. [Click to enlarge]

The winners of the antique car entries were: 1925-45 Class - James and Paula Winchester in their 1929 Model A Sport Coupe; 1946-65 Class - Edward Burks in his 1949 Buick Super; 1966-and-up Class - John Jeffries in his red sleigh Corvette.

Many farmers and tractor enthusiasts brought their tractors to town to show them off and add a touch of nostalgia to the parade.

The antique-tractor entry winners were: First place - Don Layman on his 1957 520 John Deere; Second place - Tom and Libby Davis' 1947 B Farmall; Third place: Tom Davison on his 1959 630 John Deere.

Members of Finley Baptist Church provide parade goers with a glimpse at the 'greatest gift of all, the baby Jesus', which was inside the decorated gift box. [Click to enlarge]

The Newbern Rotary Club served 650 hotdogs, 27 gallons of hot chocolate and 520 bags of chips to participants at Newbern Elementary after the parade was over.