December 4, 2023
By: Dwayne Page
The town of Liberty rang in the holiday season with its annual Christmas Parade Sunday afternoon.
With rains having forced a one week postponement of the Smithville Parade on Saturday, Liberty became the opening act for parade lovers in DeKalb County this year featuring a showcase of holiday themed floats, vintage automobiles and farm tractors, horseback riders, the DCHS band, Liberty Mayor Audrey Martin, the grand marshal, State Representative Michael Hale and wife Tara, Mr. and Mrs DeKalb County Shane and Susan Martin, ATVs and motorcycles, Smoky the Bear and the Tennessee Forestry Division, emergency vehicles including the DeKalb County EMS, DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department featuring the Liberty Station, Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad, Sheriff Patrick Ray, County Mayor Matt Adcock, Register of Deeds Daniel Seber, Road Supervisor Danny Hale, Assessor of Property Shannon Cantrell, and more including the star of the show, Santa Claus.
Parade participants began lining up at Salem Baptist Church and putting finishing touches on their floats as early as an hour before start time and then as the parade made its way down Main Street to the center of town it was greeted by hundreds who lined with street to get a good view and a chance to scoop up some of the candy tossed to the crowd by Santa and others in the parade.
After the parade, awards were presented to the best entries and drawings were held for prize giveaways.
Salem Baptist Church took 1st place for their float entry and Back 40 Farms from the Harvey Family of Liberty (Alyssa, Brynn, Bryce, Wesleigh, Braxton, and the Grinch) received 2nd place.
For Vintage or Antique automobiles, Brady Evans won 1st place while Mark and Melinda Miller were awarded 2nd place.
The Spirit awards went to Bill Stanton -1st place and to Luke Prichard-2nd place.
For kids, Alexis Reynolds won 1st place and 2nd place went to Brayden Carter, Kye, and Briggs.
Meanwhile, the Smithville Christmas Parade has been rescheduled for Saturday December 9th and will begin at 2:00 pm.
The parade lineup will be at the New Life Connection center on Congress Boulevard
The parade, sponsored by the Smithville Fire Department, will move down Congress Boulevard to Don Cantrell Street around the square then onto West Main Street and will end once it gets to the intersection at South college Street.
“You Do Not have to register to be in the parade, just show up the day of the parade between Noon and 1:45 pm and we will put you inline as you arrive,” said Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker
The band and any one unloading people or supplies should park in the Dekalb Community Complex parking lot next door. Only parade entries will be allowed in the New Life parking lot.
2023 Parade Guidelines
•Parade entries will enter through the Dekalb Community Complex parking lot behind On The Way Market.
- We recommend that Parade entries should have a clear sign as to who or what organization they are representing.
- Side-by-sides are allowed with licensed drivers, but no 4 wheelers.
- Candy is allowed to be passed out to the crowd. Please make every effort to get the candy out to the crowd and not in the roadway.
- Horses and wagons should unload at Bill page ballpark and make your way down Bryant Street to enter the parade at the redlight.
- Only one official Santa is permitted in the parade and he has already committed to ride on the Fire Truck.
The City of Smithville or The Smithville Fire Department is not responsible for any damages, injuries, or liabilities associated with the Smithville Christmas Parade. The City of Smithville or The Smithville Fire Department does not provide any liability insurance for protection for individuals, organizations, spectators, or any others who may participate in the 2023 Smithville Christmas Parade.
(Note: Poor Video quality)