Wendy Tickel and her Belmont Elementary School students have been named grand marshals of this year's Roanoke Rapids Christmas Parade.
“Ms. Tickel has been nationally recognized for her dedication and professionalism to teaching,” Parks and Recreation Director John Simeon said today. “It's nice to be able to recognize teachers in Roanoke Rapids that mold our children and their futures and play such an important role in their lives.”
Tickel is a special needs educator at the school.
(A PDF of Main Street's Trimming of the Tree contest information and registration is included as an attachment at the end of this story)
The annual Christmas parade begins at 2 p.m. on December 7 on Roanoke Avenue and will be the highlight several festivities that begin December 4 with a tree lighting ceremony at Veterans Park at 6 p.m.
Another highlight of the parade will the addition of the Elizabeth City State University Marching Band, Simeon said earlier this week. “We asked them if they would participate and they said they would enjoy coming to Roanoke Rapids.”
Tickel and Simeon.
Registration is open until the end of the day of November 21. Cost is $10 and the donation of a canned good to help replenish the pantry of Angel's Closet. G.W. Hux & Company, along with Angel's Closet, are sponsors of this year's parade..
Simeon said the city is looking for a novel way to escort Tickel and her class down the avenue, as well as a different to bring Santa and Mrs. Claus down the parade route.
As with all the past Christmas parades, the event will be held rain or shine, Simeon said. “We are hoping for better weather than last year.”
He said planning is done months in advance to book bands, Shriners and local first responders, which have other commitments on other dates throughout the holiday season. “Trying to reschedule is not a possibility logistically.”
As plans for the parade are in the final stages, Christina Caudle, Roanoke Rapids main street development director, said the city's tree lighting ceremony will be held December 4 and coinciding with that event will be the judging of the trees in Centennial Park for Main Street's Trimming of the Tree Contest.
More information may be obtained by emailing ccaudle@roanokerapidsnc.com or calling 252-676-9686.
On December 6 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., the Main Street program will sponsoring its Very Merry Roanoke Rapids Christmas Event. There will a program at the Canal Museum at 1 p.m. and Christmas story time at the library at 2 p.m.
At 3 p.m. iCreate will hold a special Santa appearance event at the Halifax County Arts Council building on the avenue where Works of Tart photography will offer specially-priced photo packages.