By Charlotte Smith
Photos of the parade by Kenneth Armstrong may be found at kenarmphoto.com.
On January 17, 2022, the crowd gathered to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with the 33rd annual parade despite the cold and windy weather. The parade lineup started in downtown Elizabethtown on West Broad Street and ended on South Poplar Street.
Elizabethtown Police Department’s Chief, Anthony Parrish, and West Bladen High School’s JROTC led the procession with the American and North Carolina flags flying high.
The marshal of the parade is the first black female elected Sheriff, Paula S. Dance, of Pitt County, NC. Sheriff Dance endured the cold with a big smile and waved to all the onlookers. The Town of Elizabethtown Town Council and Mayor followed Sheriff Dance in the lineup with good wishes for those in attendance.
Watch the video of the parade now on our YouTube Channel linked below:
Other elected officials in the parade with greetings were the N.C. House of Representatives, William Brisson, Bladen County Commissioners G. Michael Cogdell, Arthur Bullock, and Ray Britt. Political candidates for upcoming elections were also participating in the festivities.
The NC Booze It & Lose It bus drove through, reminding everyone driving a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level higher than .08 is against the law. Bladen Community College vehicles were beeping and shining their lights promoting “Fulfil Your Dreams”. Some of the college’s programs spotlighted were the EMT program, the Law Enforcement program, and the Agribusiness program.
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Baldwin Branch Baptist Church of Elizabethtown, Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church of Council, Mt. Olive AME Zion Church of Elizabethtown, and True Vine Church of Clarkton and other churches promoted peace, love, and equality.
Paul R. Brown Leadership Academy Corps of Cadets walked in cadence to show respect for the day. Royal courts, dancers, and non-profit organizations were on the scene entertaining the spectators.
There were motorcycles, ATVs, and car clubs burning rubber and showing off their style. American Legion Military Veterans, Masonic Lodge members, WBLA Radio Station, H.E.A.R.T.S. Foundation and Sisters With Class Red & Pink Hat Chapter were posed on beautifully decorated floats throughout the parade.
Firetrucks from Clarkton, Elizabethtown, Lisbon, White Lake, and White Marsh Welches Creek made noise for the celebration.
Closing out the parade were men on horseback and the Chair of the parade, Commissioner Arthur Bullock.
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