Warmth spreads at the Cove City Christmas parade

COVE CITY - Bright sun and warm spirits welcomed the Christmas season here Sunday.

Hundreds of happy folks lined the pathway of floats and fire trucks along Sunset Boulevard on a 70-degree afternoon.

State Highway Patrol Trooper Jimmy High led the Cove City Christmas Parade that brought Santa Claus tossing treats to the children from the back of a vehicle driven by Mayor Dred Mitchell with Alderman Wiley Avery.

Five-month-old Kaylee Poplin may have been the youngest at the parade and she was there with her mom, Lori Demoret Poplin, and four generations of Cove City Demorets.

"We look forward to the kids and it's nice to see the people you grew up with and don't see any other time of the year," said Lori Poplin. "All my life there has been a good turnout."

Iris Moore, known to her Demoret grandchildren as "the best cook in North Carolina, especially the fried chicken," sat in a chair at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Trenton Road to watch the holiday festivities and the children enjoy them.

The Cove City native can remember when the town did not sponsor a parade. She said she has come almost every year for at least 36 years. She had to leave her husband at home this year but knew he was there in spirit with the rest.

Willie Harris, also a Cove City native, watched the parade with Trenton friend Furney Mudaine, nearer to Cove City Library. At the library, a book sale and 50-50 raffle was helping to raise money to help support it. A reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" by Barbara Avery followed later in the afternoon.

"I missed it last year but I always come when I can," Harris said. "I love the floats, the bands, the candy - all of it - especially watching the children enjoy themselves."

There was plenty to see, including the West Craven High School Air Force JROTC, the West Craven High School Band, Sudan Shriner golf carts, fire trucks from Cove City, No. 9 Township, Dover, Ft. Barnwell, and Trenton, and the Cove City Library Mobile Unit.

Floats by area church youth groups, some pulled by big tractors that symbolize the farming community's main industry, reminded those attending of the origin and true meaning of Christmas. And one float from Wintergreen Original Free Will Baptist Church also pointed out with live music that "Jesus Rocks."

There was a 1916 vintage car, Red Hat Ladies, motorcycles with teddy bears, politicians including Craven County Board of Commissioners Chairman Jason Jones, a Cove City Youth bus, and Rosie the Pig, a fat black pet pig on a leash that obeys commands.

Sandra and Joseph Ingram brought their whole family to "have a good time. We love it," Sandra said.

Joseph said "It's Christmas time! The parade lets you know Santa is coming and it's beautiful, all the participation, the people. That's what Christmas is all about."