Mount Olive Christmas Parade Grand Marshal Lula Newkirk waves to the crowd lining Center Street during the Saturday, Dec. 3 parade that boasted more than 140 units. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)

Mount Olive Christmas Parade Grand Marshal Lula Newkirk waves to the crowd lining Center Street during the Saturday, Dec. 3 parade that boasted more than 140 units. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)

<p>Taylor Hanchey, who served as junior grand marshal for the Mount Olive Christmas Parade, helps Santa toss out candy. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)</p>

Taylor Hanchey, who served as junior grand marshal for the Mount Olive Christmas Parade, helps Santa toss out candy. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
<p>There were plenty of cheerleaders of all ages in the parade. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)</p>

There were plenty of cheerleaders of all ages in the parade. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
<p>Stella Eriza, nine months old, enjoys a Dum Dum that was tossed out during the parade. She is being held by her grandmother Rosie Eriza of Mount Olive. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)</p>

Stella Eriza, nine months old, enjoys a Dum Dum that was tossed out during the parade. She is being held by her grandmother Rosie Eriza of Mount Olive. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
<p>There were a variety of homemade floats in the Mount Olive Christmas Parade Saturday. (Steve Herring|mounolivetribune.com)</p>

There were a variety of homemade floats in the Mount Olive Christmas Parade Saturday. (Steve Herring|mounolivetribune.com)
<p>One of the homemade floats was a Nativity scene. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)</p>

One of the homemade floats was a Nativity scene. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
<p>The Southern Wayne High School Marching Saints was one of five bands that marched in the Mount Olive Christmas Parade Saturday. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)</p>

The Southern Wayne High School Marching Saints was one of five bands that marched in the Mount Olive Christmas Parade Saturday. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)

Thousands of people lined the Mount Olive Christmas Parade route Saturday, Dec. 3. They were treated to a parade that boasted five high school bands, homemade floats, fire trucks and plenty of candy tossed from those riding or marching.

The weather was mild and the forecast rain held off until after the parade that is sponsored by the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce.

Overall, the holiday event went off smoothly, Chamber President Julie Beck said.

Beck pointed out that to the best of her memory the 143-unit parade was the largest one she has been involved in helping to organize.

“We had a pile of people,” she attested.

The holiday celebration will continue with:

• The III Century Singers will be in concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, at the First Baptist Church on West James Street. The concert is free.

• The Hillsborough Street Jazz Trio will perform at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, at Steele Memorial Library on West Main Street. The performance is free.

• The Down Home Country Christmas Show will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Dec. 20, in the Southern Bank Auditorium in the Raper Building on the University of Mount Olive campus. The cost is $20 per person.

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