The first event of the Christmas season was the ever enjoyable Prattville Christmas parade Friday evening December 3rd. In preparation members of Camp 1524 decorated a trailer as the camp's parade entry float including string lights and a tree with tinsel and a display of flags including historic WBTS banners - the original Prattville Dragoons banner which resembles a swallowtail First National Flag was in the center with the current Alabama state flag on one side and the SCV national banner on the other. The Alabama secession flag was on the outside on one side flanked by the Bonnie Blue on the other. Camp Commander Waldo along with Color Sgt Dennis and Quartermaster Myrick and compatriot Doug Smith helped decorate the float Friday morning at a spot downtown near the parade starting point. At dusk, the trailer was pulled around to queue for the parade start at 7pm. There eventually were around 100 floats and entries for the parade so it took over a half hour for the last of the parade to finally start down Court St. The crowds were enormous 10 and 15 people deep all along Court and Main St and stretched all the way down along Northington and Doster Rd to the stadium which marked the end point for the parade. Commander Waldo drove the truck pulling the float while Tyrone Crowley dressed as President Jefferson Davis rode on the float waving to the spectators lining the parade route and wishing all a Merry Christmas; Mrs. Waldo and their son and Mrs. Crowley also rode in the truck and tossed hundreds of candy canes and other candy to the children watching the parade. Compatriots Darrell Haywood and Doug Smith carried the camp's Christmas banner leading the truck and 1st Lt Grooms along with Rob Schwartz, Color Sgt Dennis, and Quartermaster Myrick flanked the truck and trailer to prevent the spectators from encroaching on the vehicle and gave out candy to everyone with holiday greetings. It was a very enjoyable event to ring in the Christmas season and a great opportunity for the camp to show the colors to thousands of Prattville and area neighbors.
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