Poteat
This special ornament helps commemorate the 50th anniversary of the J. Iverson Riddle Christmas Parade.
This medal will be given to all registered participants in the Gingerbread Chase Fun Run.
Painted figures from “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” from the 2024 J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center’s annual holiday display.
As editor of the Morganton News Herald from 1984 to 1999, I enjoyed something akin to B-level celebrity status.
OK, maybe not B-level, maybe not even C- or D-level, but occasional moments of fame did come my way.
Got to ride on an elephant and be honorary ringmaster when a small-time circus came to town in the mid-’80s. The beast stank to high heaven.
Got to sit in a dunkin’ booth at the Burke County Fair that I believe was sponsored by the Oak Hill Ruritan Club. Actually, more splashin’ than sittin’.
Got to speak at the opening of the Drexel Community Fair. More folks on the stage than were in the “crowd” listening.
But my favorite moments in the spotlight (well, maybe it was the flashlight) were working with Marsha Riddle to provide narration for the annual Western Carolina Center Christmas Parade.
We would stand at a central location with loudspeakers behind us and give out details about each of the parade’s entries and also engage in sophisticated, witty, holiday banter as only a Lincoln County girl and a Drexel boy could.
Over the years, we also got absolutely drenched a time or two, chilled to the absolute marrow of the bone more frequently, but had an absolute hoot each year no matter what the weather.
All that is prelude to the fact that this year will mark the 50th anniversary of what is now the J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center Christmas Parade and Marsha, who is now a director of Assure the Future, the nonprofit foundation that assists the center, wants The Paper’s readers to know all about the parade and the special events surrounding it.
“By the years on the calendar, this should be our 51st anniversary,” Marsha said. “But we had to cancel the parade in December of 2020 due to the COVID-19 world pandemic.”
SPECIAL CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT
To commemorate the anniversary, the foundation is selling a limited-edition 3-inch porcelain commemorative ornament that would look great on any Burke County Christmas tree for only $20.
All funds raised through the sale of the ornament – which may be purchased at the center’s main administration building, the South Mountains Craft Store on Enola Road or Merrill Mischief General Store in downtown Morganton – will go to support programs and services at the center.
“That includes enrichment programs, therapeutic activities, community inclusion efforts, and quality of life initiatives that help residents learn, grow, and thrive,” Marsha said.
THE GINGERBREAD CHASE
“For years, we’ve had people tell us how neat it would be to be able to walk the parade route across campus and be able to see – on foot – all of our lighted Christmas displays,” said Marsha. “Well this year, folks can do exactly that.”
On the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 2, the Assure the Future Foundation will be sponsoring the Gingerbread Chase Fun Run.
Don’t let the “Run” part of that scare you. Marsha says runners, joggers, and walkers of all ages and abilities are welcome to complete the 1.38-mile circuit.
“We’re hoping participants will dress in festive outfits and make this a real celebration,” Marsha said.
The cost for the “Fun Run” is $25 for those 12 and older and $20 for those 4-11. The fee includes a commemorative T-shirt and a medal. The event is free for those 4 and under but does not include a shirt.
Those costs will rise to $30 for both categories beginning Monday, Nov. 16.
Registration may be completed online at assurethefuture.org.
Race check-in will begin at 5 p.m. on Dec. 2 while the run will start at 6 p.m. Sunset will be at 5:14 p.m. that day and there will be no moon that evening, so the early winter stars should be brilliant.
THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY PARADE
The parade, which draws bands, floats, and emergency vehicles from across the state, will be held on the afternoon of Thursday, Dec. 3.
Floats will line up that day between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; all other entries will line up between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and the gates to the campus will be closed at 2:30 p.m.
The parade will step off at 3 p.m., led by the Marching Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith University. “This marks the first time in the parade’s history that we’ve had a college band to lead it,” Marsha said.
Any group or organization wanting to place an entry in the parade must do so by the end of the day on Monday, Nov. 16.
For more information, call Alicia Lorenzo-Wilson at 828-608-6212.
“We need to remember, always and above all else, that this parade is for our residents,” Marsha said. “But over the past five decades, it’s also grown to be so important for our community. It’s truly a holiday tradition for everyone.”
