Saturday, November 30 marked the 37th Russell Springs Christmas Parade, and hundreds lined Main Street and enjoyed decent weather for the last day of November.

This year’s theme was “A Lake Cumberland Christmas” and as hoped, many participants brought out their boats, which made perfect platforms for decorations, especially the pontoon boats.

“We were really hoping it would draw some boats in, and it did,” said Toni Withers, parade coordinator for the third year and member of the downtown revitalization committee.

“We had several boats in the parade that incorporated the theme very well,” she said. “Like Monticello Bank, which won first prize with their pontoon.”

In all, there were over 100 participants in the parade this year.

The Grand Marshal this year was former Mayor Hollis DeHart. DeHart has in one capacity or another served Russell County most of his life, serving as a teacher, vice-principal, principal, administrator and assistant superintendent.

“We’re delighted to have Hollis as our Grand Marshal,” said Withers. “He’s been such a key player in the (Russell Springs Downtown) Revitalization Committee. He was the one who really developed that and he still comes and participates.”

“We were just thrilled we could choose him this year for that,” she said.

Withers gave special thanks to those who made the event possible; WJRS and The WAVE for advertising, Duo County for recording and showing the event on television, Lake Shore and Decor for stage decorations, Times Journal/Russell County News Register Editor Derek Aaron for performing master of ceremony duties, and Russell Springs City Council for its donation for award money.