Community celebrates Cashiers Christmas Parade in memory of Thomas Taulbee

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By Brian O’Shea, Plateau Daily News

People lined the streets near the crossroads for the annual Cashiers Christmas Parade that was dedicated to the memory of Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Thomas Taulbee on Dec. 2. Pictured at the top of the article is Thomas Taulbee’s vehicle leading the parade.

A cloudy and drizzly day didn’t stop the excited spectators from cheering on numerous floats created by over 50 community organizations in the theme of Bright Lights, Big Christmas, a novel written by Parade Grand Marshal, Mary Kay Andrews.

Parade Grand Marshal Mary Kay Andrews

“The Cashiers Christmas Parade was a big success,” said Cashiers Visitor Center Manager Susan Gregory. “This year’s parade was very special because we held it in loving memory of our dear friend and Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, Thomas Taulbee.”

She added that the rain didn’t seem to faze spectators.

“The parade turnout was terrific despite the crummy weather,” said Gregory.

Santa and Mrs. Clause

Floats were critiqued by a panel of Parade Judges including Jill Katz of Crossroads Custards and Cold Brew; Sean Cronin, and Serenity Richards, Branch Librarian at the Albert-Carlton Cashiers Community Library.

The Cashiers Annual Christmas Parade is sponsored by the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce and was held this year in memory of Thomas Taulbee.

Parade Winners:

Cashiers Christmas Star

The GoodWood Express and Educator of the Year, Spirit of Our Community Award, Lauren Bennett

Summit Charter School and Cashiers Firewood Company

Elfin Magic Award

It Takes LITTLE to be BIG

Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC – Cashiers & Highlands

Holiday Spirit Award

All I Want for Christmas is Some Bobcat Spirit!

Blue Ridge Early College

Tin Soldier Award

Bernese Mountain Dog Club Of America

Cashiers Caroling Award

Cashiers School of the Arts

Santa’s Sleigh Award

Summit Family Association

Summit Charter School

Vintage Vehicle Award

Antique Fire Truck

Cashiers Fire Department

Rudolph’s Friends Award

Best Doggone Christmas Ever

Mountain Dog Spa

Fruitcake Award

Christmas Vacation

Zoller Hardware and Cashiers Electric Supply

Cashiers School of the Arts

Santa and Mrs. Clause make their way through the crossroads escorted by a Cashiers Glenville Volunteer Fire Department truck.

Goodwood Express created a truck made out of logs that accompanied Educator of the Year Lauren Bennett. In the truck bed there is a working model train set up.

Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau

Lonesome Valley

CGFD Firefighter Noah Pressler behind the wheel of a ladder truck.

Friends of Lake Glenville

Highlands-Cashiers Hospital

HCH CEO Tom Neal geared up for the rain and a sack of candy slung over his shoulder to pass out to kids at the Cashiers Christmas Parade.

Blue Ridge Early College Homecoming Court Freshman and Sophomore Representatives

Summit Family Association

Blue Ridge Junior Appalachian Musicians and Cashiers Historical Society

The Grinch

Cashiers Highlands Humane Society

Rosman Marching Band

Blue Ridge Early College Homecoming Court Senior Representatives

Zoller Hardware and Cashiers Electrical Supply

Summit Charter School Homecoming Court Senior Representatives

Blue Ridge Public Safety

Several things are going on in this photo. From left is a woman gasping in amazement when she sees the log truck created by Cashiers Firewood. Holding a stop sign is Melissa Hudson keeping parade float traffic running smoothly. In the top right of the frame are the parade judges.