NEW PROCESSION PRESENTER
Sincerity Lodge 430 in Gray, a Masonic Lodge, is hosting the annual Gray Christmas parade this year Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m. to spread the Christmas spirit and keep traditions alive.
Bruce Stanford, the lodge’s Worshipful Master, said he’s excited for the parade this year and all it will bring. He said the grand marshals will be Mattie J. Pitts and Mattie W. Middlebrooks.
“The Christmas parade will have the same route it always has, and we are partnering up with the police department to help us with that,” he said.
“They do a wonderful job with all the logistics. We have about 60 entries for the parade, and our theme this year is “A Hard Candy Christmas,” a Dolly Parton tribute. We hope everyone enjoys it.”
He said the Gray Jaycees approached Sincerity Lodge 430 about the Christmas parade, expressing they could no longer orchestrate the parade like they could in the past. He said the Gray Jaycees wanted a non-profit who would give back to the community to help them with this transition. Stanford said the Masons were happy to help. He said it’s been a learning process during the switch.
“The main goal of the Masonic Lodge is to give back to the community. We always sponsor at least one family at Christmas time. We try to help people in some form. We’re here to help the community in any way that we can,” Stanford said.
The representative said the Christmas parade is important for Jones County, because all proceeds from the parade will go back into the community to help non-profits and families in need. He said people should come to the parade on Dec.
12, because it’s a great opportunity for everyone to get together and get into the Christmas spirit.
Stanford said people should bring chairs to the parade to sit in this year, and he said they should keep an eye on the weather. He said if it’s going to rain, the parade will be Dec. 14.
He said the floats will be judged as always and they should be on theme. “I’m going to enjoy seeing the creativity of all of the floats,” he said. “I will also enjoy seeing the children and their excitement come alive during this Christmas time. People will definitely enjoy the parade this year. We really hope to see everyone there.”
