Parades

This same time of year in 1928, the Concord Merchants Assocation staged its first Concord Christmas Parade. At that time, and into the sixties, Concord's businesses closed on Wednesday afternoon. That is the day of the week the Christmas Parade was held. The Committee that staged the parade chose to recognize a local business or professional person for their work in the community as Parade Marshal. Over the last 32 years, we have recognized former Concord Mayors J. G. McCachern, Les Myers, and Alfred Brown. Former Police Chiefs A.L. Murr, E.R. Bob McKay, and George Smith. Educators Bill Irving, Ralph Glenn, Dr. Joe Fries, Euleas Milling, and Monty Coggins. In addition to these we have recognized Doctors Fred Craven, Lance Monroe, Vincent Arey and D.A. Lockhart. Business people Charles Sloop, Tom Stillwell, O.A. Swaringen, J. Lewis Patterson, Miss Elizabeth Huckle, William C. Cannon, James J. Jackson Sr, Robert Burrage, and L.D.Bub Coltrane II. Also recognized were, Sgt. Richard Church and Sgt. Buckey Simpson of Concord Police Department.

Concord "doers" who have been recognized were Mary Snead Boger, William Murphy, Donnie Whittington, Peggy Haywood, and Frankie Furr. Sheriff J. B. Roberts was recognized in 1982. One of my favorites was Becky and La' Rain Lentz in 2002. They represented Gene Lentz, their husband and father who had worked for years on the Christmas Parade , and was the parade chairman at the time of his death. The Gene Lentz Band Award of Excellence is named in his honor. In 2003, we are adding Doctor and Mayor George Liles to this distinguished list. We remember many "things" from these parades. Like Bob Haywood who staged this parade for many years some say from the first one until his death. We remember those Charlotte Motor Speedway Band Awards, that were announced from the second floor of the County Court Building, and all those band members waiting to see who won. That unforgettable Possum Float. The one that was in the parade for years. Possum in the tree with the hunter and his "huntin" dogs. Was great in the fifties and sixties, but when it came back in the 80's, boy did we get some calls! And yes, the story of Old Santa Claus (not the one now) getting into the Christmas "Spirits" before the parade years ago was correct. We had to lift him up and lift him down from the float! We have had several Santa Clauses over the years. Thanks to Jim Blackwell and his wife Marylyn for their support and service as Santa and Mrs. Claus over thiese last many years. Yes, Jim, I will not have that sleigh and four small horses dressed up with PVC antlers to look like Reindeer ever, ever again!!!!

As times changed and the Concord Merchants Association became the Concord Chamber of Commerce, the date of the parade was changed to Saturday, and direction of the parade was changed from starting at Old Clara Harris School going North on Union Street, and ending at Buffalo, to it's present route. For many years, the cost of the parade was covered by the Chamber of Commerce and its Credit Bureau. When the Credit Bureau was sold to Equifax, Equifax funded the parade for four years. As this funding faded, Gene Lentz, The Parade Chairman, contacted Concord Telephone Company, now Windstream, for support. This community minded company stepped forward and agreed to present the Concord Christmas parade to the People of Concord and Cabarrus County. The Concord Christmas Parade is one of the oldest and largest Christmas Parades in the Carolinas. It is produced by the Cabarrus Events Association Inc., a non profit organization that also produces Village Fest. The parade could not be held without the support of Lowes Motor Speedway, The City of Concord, and other numerous supporters and our volunteers.