 |
|
|
December 3, 2008
First Hatteras Christmas Parade in 1991 was caught on film …WITH VIDEO By IRENE NOLAN  The first annual Hatteras Village Christmas Parade was in 1991, and it was caught on videotape by a Hatteras village homeowner. Fred and Judy Elcock of Mt. Pleasant, Pa., have been visiting Hatteras Island since the 1970s. They built a vacation house in the village in 1990. In December, 1991, Judy says, the couple was on the island to tend to details with their new home. “We saw a flyer at the Red & White about the parade, and decided to go,” she says. She says her husband enjoys filming family occasions and other events, and he filmed the first parade – in its entirety. It may be the only existing video record of that first Hatteras Village Christmas Parade. The Elcocks offered their tape of the parade to The Island Free Press earlier this year. Bob Boyer of Frisco, who owns Boyer Video, Inc., transferred the tape to a format that could be used by The Island Free Press. Islanders will enjoy the 17-yearold film and will recognize many of their friends and neighbors – much younger than they are now. The island’s regular visitors will also enjoy the small-town parade with its local flavor, especially if they can’t be here in December to see one. The Hatteras Village Christmas Parade grew out of a conversation that Ricki Shepherd, now president of the village’s civic association, had with a friend and board member, Belinda Willis. “We got talking one day,” Shepherd says. “And I said, ‘Why don’t we have a Christmas Parade?’ I’ve always loved parades.” The civic association liked the idea, and Shepherd, who was not on the board at that time, agreed to organize the first parade. “It went over really big,” she says, “and has been really popular ever since." There has been a parade every year – except maybe 2003. At Christmas of 2003, Hatteras village was still dealing with the devastation from Hurricane Isabel, which hit the island on Sept. 18 of that year. Hatteras village had the most devastation and was cut off from the rest of the island for two months by an inlet that was cut by the storm. The civic association decided not to have an “official” parade, but Shepherd said some of the Red Hat Society women and some kids on bikes did march down the highway anyway. Shepherd was the parade organizer for 12 years. Dennis Robinson and Karla Jarvis took over in 2003. The parade is not unlike many in small towns in America. It’s quirky and eccentric and endearing, and many of the floats are impressive. There are floats pulled by pickup trucks, some really plain and others quite elaborate. The floats are sponsored by businesses, Sunday school classes, preschools, and other community groups. There are boats, classic cars, and motorcycles. People walk and they ride on horseback. Dogs and horses have sported reindeer antlers or other holiday wear. Kids ride their bikes or motorbikes, appropriately decorated. For several years, a group of village women with decorated clam rakes marched in a drill team. They were called the Clamettes, of course. Every volunteer fire department on the island sends its trucks. The island rescue squads appear in their trucks. The Coast Guard sends an honor guard and boats. The Cape Hatteras Electric Co-op bucket truck is in the parade. And, in the past, the Department of Transportation has made an appearance with its bright yellow, road-clearing equipment, sporting red bows. This entry always draws wild applause from the onlookers, since DOT’s equipment plays a big role in keep the island’s highways open after storms. Hundreds of onlookers line the parade route along Highway 12 from Teach’s Lair Marina to the Hatterasman Drive-In -- people with dogs and with kids. The dogs bark, and the kids scurry for the candy that is thrown from the floats and trucks. There’s often a marching band, and lots of recorded music, blaring horns, and sirens, shouts, and applause from the spectators. The parade lasts only about 30 minutes, but it’s some of the best entertainment on Hatteras Island and captures the spirit of the community and the holiday season. “Worrying about the weather is always tough,” Shepherd says. The parade has never been cancelled for weather. A few have actually been slightly mild and sunny. However, the weather has also been foggy, cold, and very cold and windy with light rain showers. After the parade, everyone heads to the Hatteras Civic Center, where prizes are awarded, and folks can warm up with hot chocolate and cookies. Ricki Shepherd says that after 12 years of directing the parade, she likes to be just one of the spectators on the highway. “I enjoyed directing it,” she says, “but watching it is so much fun.” Click here to see video of the first annual Hatteras Village Christmas Parade. FOR MORE INFORMATION The Hatteras Village Civic Association will sponsor the annual Hatteras Village Christmas Parade and dance on Saturday, Dec. 13, in Hatteras village. The parade will begin at Teach's Lair Marina at 2 p.m. The parade route continues through the village and ends at the Hatterasman Drive-In. Everyone is invited to the Civic Center after the parade for home-baked cookies and hot chocolate and to hear the announcement of the winners. Later that night, there will be a Mardi Gras-themed dance at the Civic Center from 9 p.m. until midnight, featuring live music from the Wilmington-based band Carolina Treble Hook. Admission is $5 a person and light refreshments and setups will be provided. The Civic Association is providing transportation to and from the dance, with Island Hopper Shuttle Services. You must call Island Hopper to make your reservations. Anyone interested in entering the parade, please call Karla Jarvis, 986-2387, or Dennis Robinson at 475-4388 or send an e-mail to hatterasparade@yahoo.com. Three $250 prizes will be given as well as three $50 prizes for children's entries. |
|
  |
|
|
|