By Staff
GETTING READY Hallie Phillips works on the Carol Merrill Academy of Dance float. The dance academy will enter two floats in the Christmas parade, scheduled for Friday. Photo by Marianne Todd/The Meridian Star
By Fredie Carmichael/The Meridian Star
Nov. 29, 2001
Sophia Ruffin worked hard Wednesday afternoon, replacing burned-out colored light bulbs on one of two floats for Carol Merrill Academy of Dance scheduled to appear in tonight's Christmas parade.
But because expected heavy rains postponed the parade until Friday, Ruffin and the rest of the 144 units set to appear in the annual event will have to wait one more day.
Parade chairman Liz Coats said the parade is now set for 6:30 p.m. Friday, preceded an hour earlier by the lighting of the Christmas tree at Meridian City Hall.
The delay also means the Budweiser Clydesdales will be unable to participate. The Clydesdales still will arrive in town at 3 p.m. today and will be available for viewing until 6 p.m. at Central Fire Station, 2500 14th St.
The rest of the parade lineup is expected to remain intact on Friday all parading to the theme of "Rock 'n' Roll Christmas." Many people were making last-minute preparations on Wednesday.
Margie White, who helped make the float for the youth choir at Pine Springs Southern Methodist Church, spent the day putting the final touches on her group's float: "Rockin' 'n' Rollin' for Jesus."
While Ruffin and the three other women worked on the Merrill float Wednesday, heavy rains fell outside. Luckily, though, most of the two floats were covered.
Ruffin said postponing the parade until Friday will be good for her group because "that just gives us another day to prepare. I don't really have a problem with it.
The most important thing about creating a float is making sure it stands out, Ruffin said.
Fredie Carmichael is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, ext. 3228, or e-mail him at fcarmichael@themeridianstar.com.