The 2020 Union County Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Union County Rescue Squad, will be held on December 13 and will start at 2:30 p.m. The parade will line up at the Union County High School parking lot and judging for the trophies will start at 1:30 p.m.
The Union County Christmas Parade has been taking place for over 33 years. When it first started in the early 1980s, it started as the Senior Citizens Parade with help from the Rescue Squad. It was held at a different time of the year. Later it changed to the Union County Christmas Parade with the Rescue Squad still heading it up.
Jim Houston, who was captain of the squad at that time, had a leading role in the event and helped coordinate the parade by placing and lining up the floats and participants.
When asking Jim what made him get involved, he said, “It was something they did for the Senior Citizens and later for the whole county. It is something everyone can be a part of regardless of what kind of float or old car you may have. If you want to enter, just show up and you are in with only a few exclusions.”
Houston said they did have to drop the 4-wheelers and dirt bikes because of them getting to close to the people, so they cut them out for safety.
When asking how the parade has changed over the years, he stated, “We have more activity now but not as many floats as in the past.” Houston also said that the parade has never been canceled but has had to be postponed by moving it back a week due to the weather.
This year, they will give out 13 trophies for a variety of categories such as: best horse and rider, best horse and wagon, best antique car, best classic car and truck, best religious float, best commercial float and best club float.
There are no entry fees required to participate in the parade. Houston said to just be in line and ready to be judged by 1:30.
The only special rules for this year are they are asking everyone to abide by the CDC guidelines of social distancing and facial coverings.
For their safety, the Rescue Squad is asking parents to keep their children away from traffic when picking up candy. They are also asking for the candy to be thrown out only on the right side of the highway.
Only one Santa will be in the parade and will be provided by the Rescue Squad.
When asking Houston what he would like for the people to know, his reply was, “Just come out and have a good time.”
Jim Houston has been with the Union County Rescue Squad since 1963 and served as captain for many years.
For a fun fact, Santa Claus has been with the Rescue Squad since 1965.
Thanks Jim Houston and Ruben Stansbury for your many years of service.