Parade News

It was a hard-fought battle and at times it looked like the visitor from out of town might pull out an upset victory over our hometown spirit. Once the final whistle had blown, the spirit of family fun could not be broken. Rain deluged the original parade date so heavily that even ducks were seen heading out of town with “Arizona or Bust” stickers on their luggage. Despite all the setbacks, the parade participants and spectators pulled together and produced another great night of celebration for the Christmas season. It was a winning night for everyone, and here were the parade entries that achieved special recognition:

• Best Overall Entry: Lugoff House of Pizza
• Best Overall Non-Professional Float: New Life Christian Outreach

• Frank Rabon Spirit Award: The Tumble Tree

• Performance Award: Patterson School of Dance
• Best Use of Lights: Debbie Branham for Probate Judge
• Best School Entry: Wateree Elementary
• Best Church Entry: Sandhill Heights Baptist Church
• Best Civic Group Entry: Cub Scout Pack 195
• Optimist Choice Award: Lugoff Fire Department

Mother Nature has had her say, and she prefers the parade be held this year on Sunday instead of Saturday! Unfortunately, the rain has forced us to move the festivities to Sunday, December 15, at 7:30 PM. We apologize for the inconvenience, but the good news is the weatherman tells us raincoats and umbrellas will not be needed on Sunday. So bring your smiles and your families to experience Kershaw County’s only nighttime (but not waterproof) Christmas parade! For those that are unable to make it on Sunday night, the parade will be videotaped and aired on TruVista cable throughout the Christmas season.

The Lugoff Optimist Club would like to thank our 2013 sponsors. We really appreciate the local businesses who help make the parade a reality!

Dark colored sedans with U.S. Congress license plates have mysteriously been seen in the parking lots of Hall’s and Shoney’s restaurants in Lugoff over the last two weeks. The local rumor mill is buzzing and word on the street is that some high-ranking elected officials have been seeking the advice of the parade committee to resolve the standoff in our nation’s capitol.

We were honored that they would seek our advice, but we’ve got a parade to plan people! The date for the annual Lights of Lugoff Christmas Parade has been set for Saturday, December 14. Who knows if the government will be running by that time, but we can definitely tell you that we are hard at work to make the sixth installment of your parade the best yet. Stay tuned for more details!

The fifth installment of the Lights of Lugoff Christmas Parade was the warmest night yet. In fact, Santa nearly shed his fur suit and grabbed an ice cold slush from Sonic to cool his jolly old self.

The hottest thing in town wasn’t the weather however. The sizzling creativity displayed by parade floats and participants brought the crowd along Highway 1 to a fever pitch. It was another great night to be at the coolest Christmas event in the Midlands. Even though the sun was not a participant (we keep inviting him, but he always tells us he has to be somewhere else), we’d like to shine some rays on some of the outstanding entries in the parade this year:

• Best Overall Professional Float: Fitness Zone
• Best Overall Non-Professional Float: Dance Extraordinaire
• Frank Rabon Spirit Award: Friendship Baptist Church
• Best Use of Lights: Lugoff House of Pizza
• Best School Entry: L/E Singers
• Best Church Entry: Wildwood Worship Center
• Best Civic Group Entry: Grand Marshall Optimist
• Best Overall Entry: Sandhill Heights Baptist Church
• Optimists Choice Award: Cub Scout/Boy Scout Ventures, Troop 316
• Performance Award: Carolina Elite Dance Academy

Congrats to all of the winners!  Many thanks to all of the participants and all of you that came out to watch the parade!  If you have any comments or suggestions for next year’s parade, please click Add Comment. Merry Christmas!

You know it’s been making the rounds. Somebody at your office has had it all week. The kids brought it home from school, and once one person in the house gets it everybody ends up catching it. Once you get it you just can’t seem to shake it. That’s right, you’ve got a fever, a fever for some Saturday night Christmas celebrating. You need to get your Christmas on, and there is only one prescription that will cure that burning desire. The Lights of Lugoff Christmas Parade!!!!

This Saturday, December 8th, there is one and only one place you need to be and that is on Highway 1 in the heart of Lugoff. You won’t see John Travolta in his disco suit, but you will see just about everything else in our nighttime spectacular. We’ve got floats loaded with twinkling lights, police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, bands, motorcycles, dancers, and of course the big man that works so hard on Christmas eve will join us.

Bring a jacket, but nothing too heavy because it looks like it will be just under sixty degrees at go time. You’ve got that fever to keep you warm anyway…..

Thank you so much to our 2012 sponsors!

It is only September, but the people of Kershaw County are already pondering a decision that could have a monumental impact on their lives and the lives of their children and grandchildren.  Responsible citizens want to make the right choice, and the best way to do that is to do their research and be ready when the big day arrives.  They’ll consult with friends and family to determine the best option available.  This is the moment that will determine their destinies.

Yes friends, we are of course talking about the best place to set up your family to view the 2012 Lights of Lugoff parade.  Do you want to be near the beginning of the parade route so that you can wear the “I saw the new floats first” badge of honor?  Maybe in the middle so that you can catch all the action after the parade participants have worked out the early jitters but before they tire out?  Perhaps you are an “end of the route” type that wants to savor the fun until the very last possible moment.  No matter your parade route location affiliation, you’ll want to get there early and get just the right spot.

So mark your calendars for December 8, 2012 at 6:30 PM and cast your vote for the best night of the year!