The holiday season in Pine Bluff made a much grander entry than usual Saturday evening.
Two annual traditions, the city’s Christmas parade and tree lighting, came together to entertain the public on anything other than a school night, a departure from tradition.
“A lot of people have to work mostly during the week, and so we felt like if we gave people enough time … we’re seeing a major increase in traffic because people could come and bring their kids,” Mayor Vivian Flowers said. “We’re just happy with the turnout. I’m just glad we’re able to kick off the holidays together as a community and to be able to help sponsor such a wonderful family event. I’m really happy to see all the kids so happy.”
The cold air wasn’t biting as hard as it had through the week, when temperatures dropped either below or close to freezing each night. The sky in downtown Pine Bluff was clear with a reading of 40 degrees at 5:30 p.m., when the parade started.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Chancellor Anthony Graham served as the grand marshal, riding in a Pontiac Solstice convertible with Chris Warrior, the husband of interim Police Chief Shirley Warrior.
“Fantastic. Loved every moment of it,” Graham said. “Loved seeing all the kids out smiling, so I’ve enjoyed it.”
Graham will helm his first graduation since his July hire next Saturday at the Convention Center. Graham said he looks forward to sending graduates to the next step in their lives.
“It’s been a great five or six months with great people,” he said. “There’s a lot of work to do and folks committed to doing the work, focused on our students.”
The parade marched from 10th Avenue to Main Street, heading north to Sixth Avenue and then down Convention Center Drive toward the Civic Center, where a 22-foot tree was lit as the highlight of the night. Graham shared a message of unity in the city and Jackson petitioned locals to remember the meaning of Christmas in small speeches, while Pine Bluff High School’s choir performed Christmas standards.
SEARK College won first prize for floats, entering a Gingerbread House-themed ride called The Gingerbread Workshop. The motto of the float was “Building Brighter Futures.”
Skateland won second prize and the Boys & Girls Club of Jefferson County won third prize.
