I’m taking you to a Christmas celebration in Rogersville, a small town east on highway 60 past Springfield. They celebrated their holiday festivities on December 7 with a Christmas parade featuring the Logan-Rogersville high school and middle school bands, floats from local businesses and families, fire trucks from the Logan-Rogersville Fire Department and more.
The parade was set to start at 4:45 in the afternoon, but when I arrived at the parade route an hour early, it felt like half the town was already set up with their lawn chairs, blankets and bags to collect candy. Once I finally found a place to park, I made my way to the parade lineup.
As I was observing the line, the band began to warm up, providing everyone with some pre-festivity music and entertainment.
The parade started a little late, around 4:50, but when the band began their cadence, everyone immediately got excited and directed their attention to the lineup.
The parade slowly moved north on County Line Road. As the parade made its way through Rogersville, I ran into Jonah Gann and his family enjoying the parade. Gann is a Rogersville resident who has resided in the town his whole life. Gann shared his thoughts on the Rogersville holiday celebrations while he received candy from parade participants.
“Yeah, big tradition. We’ve done it, I basically lived in Rogersville my whole life, 23-years-old, I’ve been here for 23 years every season,” Gann said.
Gann remembered when the parade was affected by COVID. He said there had been times where it didn’t feel the same, but it has been better recently. Gann explains why he feels the parade in Rogersville is improving and growing in popularity again.
“They actually opened it where all families, anyone that had a float, could participate. It wasn’t just any organization,” he said. “Anybody that signed up and had a float you were able to go and do it, and it was fantastic. I’ve enjoyed it every single year I’ve been here, and it just feels like it keeps getting better.”
As some classic cars drove by, the Grinch handed Gann some candy while he told me about his favorite part of the parade.
“The community all coming together. We all get to see all the churches, all the daycare centers, everybody comes together. Even, you know, you get to see five, six different Grinches. There's dance programs, just about everybody. Coffee shops. Everybody’s coming by and participating in it no matter how big or small," he said. "You just, you know, do it 'cause you love it. Thats all it is.”
After I talked with Gann, I worked my way south on County Line Road to cut the parade off on its journey back. I saw the parade as it was traveling west on Ashley Street, and by this time, the sun was down. The Rogersville houses were all glowing with Christmas decorations, not to mention the dozens of parade floats coated with lights. As the parade was wrapping up, the tree lighting ceremony began.
I made my way to the pavilion in Rogersville City Park, and it was decorated with lights, streamers and more. People milled around a tree in the middle of the park. A coffee shop was set up as well as a food truck serving all the guests. While everyone waited on the parade to wrap up, people enjoyed some music and conversation.
While I was waiting for the tree lighting to start, I had a chance to talk to Bailey Tennis, executive director of the Rogersville Area Chamber of Commerce. I told Tennis that I had been to the Rogersville parade in the past, but I never remembered seeing this many people. I asked if this was a bigger turnout than previous years.
“I think so," she said, "since the tree lighting ceremony is at the park afterwards. I think that made the turnout really well. And moving it over here gave more space for more people to attend for the full event."
The tree lighting was previously held at the caboose in Rogersville across from the licensing office. However, they opted to move it to the park this year.
I also had a chance to speak to Jessica Barnes, the president of the Rogersville Chamber. Barnes told me that she was thankful for the community's help putting on the festivities.
“We just appreciate the involvement from everyone. The community, the ones that participate, the ones that put all this together, all the volunteers,” said Barnes. “It takes everyone to put this together. Just the ones that even enter the parade, we appreciate that, and we want it to continue to grow.”
Once 6 p.m. rolled around, Tennis announced the best floats of the parade.
After the announcement of the best float, Addison Hammond sang popular Christmas songs while the community waited for the tree lighting.
When she was finished, Rogersville Mayor Jack Cole thanked all the volunteers, the Rogersville Chamber, the Park Board and everyone who attended. He also talked about what the tree represents.
“You know we’ve got the tree to be lit up here shortly. It represents hope, joy and the spirit of giving,” said Cole. “The lights on the tree, they symbolize the light we bring to each others' lives when we work with each other and comfort each other in difficult times from the strength of one another. May this holiday bring to you peace, love and happiness for all.”
After Mayor Cole led the community in a prayer, the countdown for the tree lighting began.
One Rogersville resident, who didn’t want his name used, told me what he thought about the tree lighting.
“The traditional lighting the tree with the town people around and everything, I think it’s a good thing to do," he said. "It brings the community together and gives somebody something to look forward to. It gives them Christmas hope and joy and stuff like that, getting people together.”
After the tree lighting, people stuck around to listen to Addison Hammond again as well as some Christmas Karaoke.
The Rogersville community loves their Christmas celebrations. When I spoke to Bailey Tennis prior to the parade, she told me that the Chamber of Commerce receives questions about the parade and tree lighting all year long in preparation.