Statesville.com - Statesville Record and Landmark

HomeNewsEntertainmentSportsLifestylesOpinionCommunityWeather Online Tools Jobs | Real Estate | Shopping | Classified

Statesville comes alive with parade Sunday

By Jim McNally | Statesville R&L

Published: December 11, 2008

Sunday's Christmas parade in downtown Statesville will be the Jaycees' last.

But the civic organization, which will disband at the end of the year due to dwindling membership, is going out with a bang.

"We have about 150 entrants right now," said Carrie Sohovich, who has been the event's primary organizer for the past two years. "And it's been some hard work but ... it's worth it when you see those little faces on the side of the road that light up when the floats go by."

The parade begins at 3 p.m. at the corner of Center and Bell streets in downtown Statesville.
Nancy Davis, Statesville's public information officer, said the charm of the city's Christmas parade may lie in its route along Center Street.

"I think the fact that it runs right down the middle of the town is really nice," she said.

Davis said the Christmas event, which features everything from marching bands to motorcycle clubs, may also be the beneficiary of another parade's demise.

"We used to have two parades in the city every year," Davis explained.

"The Dogwood Parade (which was held in the spring) would get all the good floats but now that that's gone, the Christmas Parade gets all the goodies."

This will be the last year the Jaycees will organize the parade. The local chapter is being dissolved because it has not met the membership requirements of the national organization.

Sohovich said membership has been declining for several years, and some of the group's most ardent members will soon reach their 40th birthday and, therefore, age out.

"It's sad because this is one of the oldest chapters in the state," Sohovich said. "But I think people are fulfilling their civic commitments in other ways now."

The Jaycees' demise opens the door for another organization to organize the parade. It's unclear which organization will take on that challenge.

Statesville Mayor Costi Kutteh expressed his appreciation for the Jaycees and Carrie and Brian Sohovich for organizing the event.

"This is a highlight of the holiday season for the city," said Kutteh, who was the parade's grand marshal last year. "It's a great tradition and I look forward to being there this year as a spectator."

For more information about the parade, contact Carrie Sohovich at (704) 838-1313.