The lighting of the Christmas tree in Greer City Park will occur tonight at 7. Activities begin a 5 p.m.
The parade, featuring 100-plus units with the theme, “A White Christmas”, will culminate three days of festivities that begins with tonight’s Christmas tree lighting at City Park and Saturday’s Breakfast with Santa for three seatings at the Cannon Centre.
“It is an honor to have the Ross and Hicks families participate in the Greer Jaycees Christmas Parade,” said Kyndra Kemp, president of the Greer Jaycees. “Their sons have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.”
Ross, 19, of Lyman died July 24, in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he encountered small arms fire. He graduated Byrnes High School.
Hicks, 24, became Greer’s first casualty in the Afghanistan war when he was killed Nov. 16 in Paktika province when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. Hicks was buried Wednesday, about 15 yards from Ross, at Wood Memorial Park. Hicks graduated Greer High School.
“Anything we can do honor Bo, we would be proud to do,” Dennis “Pepper” Hicks, Bo’s uncle, said.
“This is what I think Christmas parades are all about. What better way to lead a parade than remembering heroes of the community,” Greer Police Sgt. Chad Richardson, said.
The Christmas tree lighting activities begin at 5 p.m. with inflatables and Holiday Seasons around the world showcasing different cultures during the holidays. The lighting of the tree is scheduled at 7 p.m.
The city is asking visitors to the festivities tonight to bring canned food items and coats to donate to area charities.
Santa Claus will be at the tree lighting to pose for free pictures and talk to children.
All three sessions of Breakfast with Santa Saturday morning was sold out the first day tickets went on sale.
The Christmas parade will begin at the Clock restaurant on West Poinsett and take a left onto N. Main Street where it will end at the J. Harley Bonds Center. “The Jaycees are very excited about this year’s parade. Thank you to the participants in the parade,” Kemp said.
The parade will feature the Blue Ridge and Greer high school bands, which finished second and third in state 3A competition, respectively. Beauty queens, cheerleaders, and floats representing area businesses and organizations are among the 100-plus units. Of course, Santa Claus was the first person to register for the Greer parade.
Volunteers are welcome and asked to report at the Clock restaurant by 1 p.m. Sunday.
Profits from entry fees benefit Greer Relief.