New Ellenton begins holiday season with annual Christmas Parade

Matthew Christian, Aiken Standard, S.C.
·2 min read

Dec. 3—Aside from a few dark clouds and an occasional raindrop, the weather wasn't frightful. In fact, the weather was rather delightful as New Ellenton marked the beginning of the holiday season with its annual Christmas Parade Saturday afternoon.

The parade began at noon at the Ellenton Village Shopping Center — where K.J.'s is located — and continued down Main Street (SC 19) past the city hall to Tiny Treasures Day Care Center.

Thirty-seven entries were slated to make the 0.9 mile journey including Grand Marshal Debra Creech; four groups from Silver Bluff High School; the city's mayor, Kimberly Williams, and members of its council; S.C. Rep. Bill Taylor, R-Aiken; both county political parties; the New Ellenton Blue Devils recreation league team; four churches; and four fire departments.

Santa rode in on the back of a New Ellenton Fire Department truck.

Tonya Thomas, owner of Meme's All Natural, and Marty Dubber, owner of JDubbZ and Jameson McDubby's in Aiken, served as judges.

They selected Down South Dirty Riders as the best group in the parade. The group stopped several times during the parade to hand candy, toys and bicycles to children gathered along the route.

Thomas and Dubber picked the Greendale Elementary School Spirit Team as the best float. The group performed a version of Jingle Bells for the judges.

Williams selected Talatha Baptist Church as the mayor's choice.

Attendees lined both sides of the street and children anxiously gathered close to the road to catch candy thrown to them or, if necessary, go into the road to get candy that didn't travel far enough.

Allen Hardy, his wife, Tiffany, and two of their children, Eric and Casey, were already set up across Main Street from city hall 45 minutes before the parade started at noon.

Allen said the family was attending the parade to see his son, Ethan, perform for the Silver Bluff High School JROTC.

"I grew up doing this 20-something years ago, so it just brings back old memories," he said.