It turned out to be the perfect day (Sunday, 12/9/2012) for the Annual Rutherford County Christmas Parade. The heavy rain cells had passed by lunchtime, and it was partly cloudy with temps in the mid 60s by the time the first unit started to move down East Main Street at 2:00 o'clock.
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Grand Marshals: Colton and Schyler Dixon
American Idol's Colton and Schyler Dixon were the stars of this year's Christmas Parade, and fans of the local brother and sister singers waved and cheered as they passed. Before the parade, WGNS' Bart Walker had an opportunity to talk with these hometown celebrities.
It was also interesting to watch the crowds gathering around Colton and Schyler before and after the interview. Fans were wanting autographs, get their photos made together and to just talk with them.
And you may be wondering about the sound that is heard throughout the background of this interview. There were six high school bands within a few hundred feet in every direction, and their drum sections were doing a warm-up version of the "battle of the bands".
Parade Winners
Judges commented that there were so many phenominal entries that often whether or not they incorporated a Christmas' theme put it in a finalist position or not.
Float: Business or Industry: Home Depot created the winning entry.
Float: Church of School: Murfreesboro City Schools won this award with their "Jingle Bell Rock" Christmas stage show that rolled along the parade route while the bubble machine helped turn time back to the rock'n roll era.
Plus the City School's little yellow school bus float was a big hit in which school board members rode. The city schools went all out in this year's parade, and several individual schools had walking units made-up of students, faculty and parents.
Float: Civic, Scout or Social: The Rutherford County Sheriffs Office' float of "putting the Grinch in jail at Christmas.
Scout Entries: The float created by the Girl Scout troop from St. Rose of Lima took the honors.
Best Walking Entry: Dance Works
Mayor's Cup: The Rutherford County Emergency Medical Service's "sleigh ambulance" float caught everyone's attention.
The Chamber of Commerce President's "Community Spirit Award": The Stones River National Battlefield's float depicted a historical view of our local Christmas 150-years ago. 
Special THANK YOU
There are several local groups and businesses who work together for several months creating the annual Christmas Parade. For almost 30-years WGNS' Lee Ann Walker, who is now joined by Angie Walker, have coordinated the parade.
In addition, the Stones River Amateur Radio Club set-up a mobile communications center and keep in constant touch with local ham radio operators who are helping to get the parade started on time and maintain traffic reports along the parade route. The Murfreesboro Noon Exchange Club is another long time sponsor that helps with lining up the parade. MidSouth Bank is in charge of walking the parade route holding a banner in front of each winning entry. They also present the trophies to the winners as the parade begins. And the most visible sponsor is ATMOS Energy who is in charge of the Santa float.
And Merry Christmas to all! We look forward to seeing you again on the second Sunday of 2013.
MORE PARADES of 2012
When the MTSU Homecoming Parade rolled down East Main Street at 10:00 o'clock Saturday morning (10/6/2012) temps were around 50 degrees. The fall weather prompted a strong turnout for the popular event.
Unfortunately, the score was not that way. ULM's strong offensive attack combined with some missed Blue Raider opportunities lifted the Warhawks past Middle Tennessee 31-17 at Homecoming on Saturday afternoon.
Band of Blue
The MTSU Band of Blue had the crowd groove'n as the huge band rocked down the street with favorites like "Hey Baby" and others. It was obvious that an over-sized marching band helps to create a winning feeling for everyone around. "True Blue" took on more meaning as they passed.
Lightning Strikes Again!
The Blue Raider mascot, Lightning, garnered cheers as he rode the parade route with some of his buddies.
The Homecoming Parade was a fun way to bring town and gown together, something that's been happening in these parts for over a hundred years.
(below) This float shows how the Louisiana-Monroe War Hawks will be caged before leaving the 'Boro this evening.
This year's MTSU Homecoming Parade was filled with very creative floats. The campus community along with area businesses, tried to out-do each other with their entries. Couple this with heavy quantities of enthusiasm, and you get a phenominal parade.
This was a fun parade with some great looking wheels, along with some really tall Blue Raider supplorters.
2011 Christmas Parade (Below):
The Bicentennial Christmas Parade was at 2:00 o'clock Sunday afternoon in 2011 on East Main Street.
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