Rocky Top’s Christmas parade draws a big crowd to downtown
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The Clear Branch Baptist Church float rolls through Rocky Top during last Friday night’s annual Christmas parade. This float won first place in the parade. - G Chambers Williams III
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The Mountain Barn Builders float moves along Main Street during last weekend’s Rocky Top Christmas parade. - G Chambers Williams III
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The Myers Yardscapes float lights up the scene as it makes its way up Main Street during last Friday’s Rocky Top Christmas parade. - G Chambers Williams III
What some observers said was the longest Rocky Top Christmas parade they can remember drew droves of spectators to the city last Friday night in spite of a threat of rain – which thankfully never materialized.
Sponsored by the Rocky Top Chamber of Commerce and the city, the parade began at 7 p.m. in the area of Lake City Middle School and moved down Main Street to the Interste 75, Exit 129 interchange.
Grand marshal of the parade was former Rocky Top Chief of Police Jim Shetterly.
Parade judges were General Sessions Judge Victoria Bowling, Campbell County Sheriff Wayne Barton, and auctioneer Bear Stephenson.
The 2023 parade winners were:
Floats:
• First place: Clear Branch Baptist Church.
• Second place: Powell Clinch Utility District.
• Third place: Mountain Barn Builders.
Groups:
• First place: Lake City Little League.
• Second place: Lake City Middle School Cheerleaders.
Cars/trucks:
• First place: Kenny Cooper, 1996 Chevrolet truck.
• Second place: Fred Cornett, 1935 Chevrolet.
• Third place: Wayne Cornett, 1956 Chevrolet.
Tractors:
Alex Flatford. 1937 John Deere.
ATV/UTV:
• New Life ATVs.
The Mayor’s Award was given to Jonathon Touchton, “a volunteer in the community who helps tremendously to make the Lake City Little League program a success,” according to the Chamber of Commerce.