Fort Deposit Christmas Extravaganza
thrills crowd, inspires holiday spirit
More than 1,000 spectators turned out for Saturday’s Fort Deposit Christmas Extravaganza and were treated to a parade which stretched a half mile long through the downtown area.
Led by the Calhoun High School’s ROTC color guard and marching band, the parade depicted nearly every aspect of life in Lowndes County from first responders, government officials, local businesses, non-profit organizations, car/horse/motorcycle/ and 4-wheeler clubs, and of course Santa Claus.
“The outpouring of support in a number of ways was truly incredible,” said Dan Therrien, event organizer. “This was our fourth year holding this event and costs have been minimal with proceeds going to support the Fort Deposit Public Library. Unlike other events, this one at this time of year is about giving and people showing the true meaning of Christmas and they have not disappointed.”
Fort Deposit, Hayneville, Sandy Ridge, Calhoun, and Burkville Volunteer Fire Departments were represented and greeted with cheers in appreciation for all they do to work together in a number of emergency situations from home and grass fires, to car accidents to assisting in times of natural disasters.
The Fort Deposit Elementary School Girl Scouts which were just formed last year turned out with a remarkable contingent of 85 girls and took second place in the float competition. The Fort Deposit Public Library which opened for the first time this year had a nicely decorated float with Mother Goose story book characters dressed out to play the part and walked away with the first place trophy. The Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church Red Devils float which took third place was decked out complete with goal posts and youth dressed ready to play ball.
Unique to the Fort Deposit parade is a reviewing stand in the center of downtown where an announcer describes every parade entry in detail and tells about the service they provide to the community. This year’s announcer was Evangelist Carolyn Griffin from Greenville who is the founder and host of the Kingdom Building Broadcasting Network every weekend on WGYV 1380-AM radio and can be heard around the world from her website at www.warrior-ministries.org. “She is a gifted speaker and we were blessed to have her with us,” Therrien said.
Action continued following the parade in front of the Fort Deposit City Hall with live entertainment by gospel recording artists Perfect Peace out of Alexander City. “We were fortunate to have them as they were performing at another fundraiser that evening to raise money for a family whose house burnt down,”Therrien explained. “When word went out over the speaker system about that cause the buckets went out and the people truly showed their spirit of giving as everyone who was asked put money in the pot even if all they had on them was pocket change. It just goes to show how people come together in time of need.”
Therrien thanked a number of others as well. Air Jumpz, LLC, www.airjumpz.com, brought out their tropical waterslide moonwalk inflatable which had the kids jumping for joy. No Limit Ministries which provides services in the Fort Deposit Municipal Complex each Friday at 7 p.m. provided free hamburgers, hotdogs, chips, and drinks for all who came by. Businesses such as Priester’s Pecans donated door prizes. A special thank you goes out to Josephine Smith, owner of Patrice Photos, who offered her time and talent to help capture the moment and take pictures of kids with Santa.
Thanks also goes out to all the other volunteers who helped make this event such a success from taking in the applications to setting up and tearing down, serving as parade judges, and cleaning up. Probably more importantly, thanks go out to everyone who participated and came out which made everything else possible.
“It was truly a team effort of which everyone can be proud,” Therrien said.
2009 Extravaganza already being planned
The 2009 Christmas Extravaganza is already being planned and expected to be the biggest and best event of its kind ever witnessed in this area Therrien says. To make this happen, a special committee is being formed to bring in entertainment, vendors, assist in the planning and setup and more. There is a lot of good local talent and vendors out there and we want to show off what Lowndes County has to offer. Efforts will also be made to get wide newspaper, radio and TV coverage. Anyone with contacts, community organizer skills, and time who are willing to work are asked to contact Dan Therrien by calling 334-227-4600 or by email at fortdeposit@aol.com. Parade participation and vendor forms are already available for download by clicking the link below so everyone is asked to put Dec. 12, 2009 on their calendar and start planning now. Fort Deposit will shine in 2009.