By Robert Medley
Managing Editor
His name is Roy and he is a Piedmont resident. He parked himself in his temporary pen in downtown Piedmont right after leading the parade.
Roy the camel was a leader at the Piedmont Mayor’s Tree Lighting ceremony and the Christmas parade Friday, Dec. 1.
Blake Lippert with BGP Ranch and Aviary of Piedmont and Roy are regulars in the annual parade.
Weston Crow-Tucker handled the team on the wagon. Jake Hannegan was the driver of the wagon.
There are several other camels that live in Piedmont, Lippert said. Gregory Neff helped with the parade in the wagon.
He specializes in sleigh rides, carriage rides, trolley rides and petting zoos.
A good night for a parade, Dec. 1
It was a police patrol vehicle from the Piedmont force that led the parade. The loudspeaker blasted “Jingle Bell Rock,” with the blue and lights atop the vehicle flashing. People lined Piedmont Road on both sides, many bundled up in hats, coats and scarves to await the parade.
A crowd gathered for warmth around the flames of an outdoor fire as food trucks served up the dinners.
MaKayla Giggers wore a bright red and green Christmas sweater. The Piedmont resident was with Madison Giggers and Ryker Giggers joined them by the fire.
Madison Giggers explained her sweater that had a pug dog on it and the words “Merry Pugmas.” MaKayla’s sweater read, “Oh Snap,” and featured a knitted picture of the Gingerbread man.
At a chuck wagon-style food booth, Daymon Winborn of Alma, Arkansas and his dad Buddy Winborn traveled to Piedmont to serve soup and cornbread and desserts.
The tree will stay on through the rest of the year.
Read the Piedmont-Surrey Gazette and follow piedmontnewsonline.com for updates to local news and community events.
