Posted on November 21, 2013
Originally published in the El Dorado News-Times on November 22, 2013.
Union County students and parents filled the Charles H. Murphy boardroom of the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce on Thursday to hear the announcement of the grand marshals who will lead the 2013 Christmas parade.
Kelli Harrison, the chair of this year?s parade, kicked off the El Dorado Christmas Parade press conference, which is an annual event.
Once again, the Chamber earlier this year asked the community to come up with the theme for this year?s parade, and after dozens of suggestions, "Christmas in Candyland? was selected after being submitted via Facebook by Alberto Amaro.
The selection process for the grand marshals was different this year. Rather than selecting two essays, as they have done in years past, the schools were allowed to select which fifth-grade boy and fifth-grade girl would be grand marshals. Some of the schools selected their representatives based upon academics, behavior or essays. This year?s parade will have 14 students opening the parade and serving as grand marshals.
Carlee Alston, co-chair of the parade, announced the students who will represent their schools in this year?s parade.
The students are as follows:
? Junction City Elementary School ? Cameron Frazier and Cameron Martindale. Frazier is the son of Cornelius Frazier, and Martindale is the daughter of Craig and Jenny Martindale.
? Norphlet Elementary School ? Karis Robinson and Dylan Novack. Robinson is the daughter of Carrie and Charles Robinson, and Novack is the son of Melissa and Robert Turner.
? Parkers Chapel Middle School ? Alyssa Frisby and John David Risinger. Frisby is the daughter of Katie Frisby, and Risinger is the son of Sheri Risinger.
? Smackover Elementary School ? Rylee Darden and Dawson Inzer. Darden is the daughter of Meagan Pearson, and Inzer is the son of Doug and Alicia Inzer.
? Strong Elementary School ? Noe Gonzalez and Dylan Howard. Gonzalez is the daughter of Juan Gonzales, and Howard is the son of Edwina Howard.
? Washington Middle School ? Micaela Martizez and Dominick Bell. Martizez is the daughter of Carlos and Cori Martizez, and Bell is the son of LaSonya Tubbs.
? West Side Christian School ? Jillian Callender and Garrett Williamson. Callender is the daughter of John and Jayna Williamson, and Williamson is the son of Vance and Netasha Williamson.
These students will lead the parade while riding on Mayor Frank Hash?s 1940?s era firetruck.
Alston also announced that the deadline for entries in the parade without a late fee is today. On Monday, the deadline will be extended to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27, with a $5 late fee. Entry forms are available at the Chamber of Commerce in El Dorado, or online at goeldorado.com/parade. Entry fees are also listed on the website." "Decking the Halls at SAAC – Monday, November 25, 2013"