Community members braved chilly conditions on Saturday, Dec. 5 and collectively got into the holiday spirit during the first Buladean Community Foundation Christmas Parade.
The parade featured approximately 40 entries, including entries from individuals, churches and businesses.
The parade, which began around 2 p.m., started at the Buladean Community Center, went up Hughes Gap Road and made a loop back to the center.
There was a free Mitchell County Transportation shuttle from the Middle District Church for extra parking and several spots marked along the route denoted areas where people could park and safely watch the parade.
Glenda Shuffler, a member of the Buladean Community Foundation Board, said the parade was a great chance for the community to come together during an unprecedented time.
“It gives individuals an opportunity to come out and have some joy and sunshine in their life with the type of year we’ve had,” she said.
The parade had two requirements— every entry had to be decorated for the Christmas season and everyone had to keep safety as a top priority. All were encouraged to maintain safe social distancing during the event.
The parade is a first for the Buladean community, but with a successful pilot year now in the books, Shuffler said she hopes it becomes an annual tradition.
With the annual Spruce Pine Christmas Parade and other area holiday events canceled this year due to the pandemic, Shuffler said it was even more important to give locals an option to ring in the holiday season in Mitchell County.
There were no entry fees for vehicles or spectators.
“It’s just a really nice thing to give back to the community,” Shuffler said. “We opened it up to the surrounding communities. We felt it would be very valuable for individuals to have the opportunity to participate.”
Mitchell County Commissioner and Southern Ridge Cafe co-owner Harley Masters was also heavily involved in the promotion and organization of the parade.
Masters echoed Shuffler and agreed that holding the parade was vital for the community.
“Anything I’m usually involved with is about giving back to the community,” Masters said. “It’s really exciting.”