Ed and Hilda Cromartie will serve as grand marshals for the Mount Olive Christmas Parade that will step off at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. (Courtesy photo|Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce)
This Saturday’s Mount Olive Christmas Parade will be unique, featuring not one, but two grand marshals — Ed and Hilda Cromartie.Both are retired educators, and Ed Cromartie is a former member of the Wayne County Board of Commissioners.
Each year, the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce, the parade sponsor, accepts nominations from the community for the grand marshal.
The Chamber seeks grand marshal nominations for someone who volunteers and gives back to the community; deserves credit for good deeds completed; and is an inspiration toward making the community a better place to live, work and play.
“When the Christmas Committee reviewed the nominations, they knew they had to select two grand marshals instead of one,” Chamber President Julie Beck said. “A husband and wife were both nominated and there is no way to only select one.
“Both have done so much for our community, and we wanted to honor both.”
The Mount Olive Christmas Parade will be held Saturday, Dec. 2, at 10 a.m.
The parade line-up will begin at 9 a.m. at Carver Elementary School, 400 Old Seven Springs Road.
The parade route will be along Old Seven Springs Road, North Church Street, East College Street and both sides of Center Street.
The parade will disband at 114 E. James St.
No parking will be allowed along Center Street on Saturday during the parade, however, handicapped parking will be available on the Wells Fargo (east) side of the 200 block of North Center Street between East James Street and East College Street.
The town’s holiday festivities will kick off from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday night, Dec. 1, at the Southern Bank Parklet, at the corner of South Center and East Main streets.
The activities will include lighting of the town Christmas tree, Santa and Mrs. Claus, hayrides, roasting marshmallows, Pickle Train rides, decorating Christmas cookies, Christmas ornament craft, popcorn and drinks (small fee), candy canes, pickles and photos with Santa (small fee).
The Exchange Club of Mount Olive will sponsor a food truck rodeo, fairy hair and cookie decorating.
About the Grand Marshals
Edward E. Cromartie Sr. was born in Fayetteville in 1946. He is a 1964 graduate of Anne Chestnut High School and received a Bachelor’s in Science Degree from Fayetteville State University in 1977.
He earned a Master’s Degree in School Administration from Fayetteville State University and an Educational Specialist Certification from East Carolina University, Greenville.
Hilda Cromartie graduated from Charity High School in 1966 and entered Fayetteville State University graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education in 1970.
She received a Master’s Degree in School Administration from Fayetteville State University and her Educational Specialist Certification from East Carolina University.
Ed Cromartie began his career in education in 1977, working as a teacher at Westover High School in Fayetteville. He later worked for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as an educational consultant in 1984.
He continued in this position until 1986 when he was offered a position with the Goldsboro City Schools as vocational director. He also served as vocational director for Wayne County Public Schools when the two systems merged.
Cromartie later served as assistant principal at Southern Wayne High School, Dudley, and principal of the former Southern Academy Alternative School, Goldsboro.
In 2004, he was appointed as Wayne County Public Schools assistant superintendent for human resources until his retirement in 2006.
Following his retirement, Cromartie served in various capacities for the school system, from assistant principal to county athletic director.
Cromartie also served as Wayne County commissioner for District 2 and continues to serve on various boards throughout the county.
Hilda Cromartie began her career in education in 1970, working as a teacher at Beulaville Elementary in Beulaville.
She later taught career explorations at Armstrong Jr. High School in Fayetteville.
After completing her graduate work, she moved to Wayne County in 1984 becoming assistant principal at the former Mount Olive Junior High School.
She also served as principal of Carver Elementary School and Brogden Middle School, Dudley.
She retired in 1999, but continued to work in the school system.
Cromartie said she believes the best gift a child can receive is a quality education.
The Cromarties are members of Vision of Faith Free Will Baptist Church, where he serves as chairman of the deacon board and she serves as president of the mother board.
They have been married for more than 50 years, and have two children, NaTale and Edward Jr., who, along with their spouses Ryan Nelson and Trelvia Cromartie, are educators in the Wayne County Public School System.
Ed and Hilda Cromartie have five grandchildren, Giovonnii, Ryan Jr., NaRyah, Ava and Aimee.
For more information on the Mount Olive Christmas Parade, contact Beck at 919-658-3113.
