BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
When the Millbrook Christmas Parade rolls tomorrow at 2 p.m., Kathy Kelley will see the parade from a different perspective as this year’s Grand Marshal
For the past 40 years or more, Kathy has been an integral part of the planning of the annual parade. For the past 30 years she has served as Chairman of the Spirit of Christmas Committee and was the fearless leader overseeing every aspect of the huge event each year.
The first Millbrook Parade was hosted by the Millbrook Men’s Club. Over time the Spirit of Christmas Committee was formed and took over, but Kathy became involved as a young adult with the Christmas events.
On Saturday Kathy will be surrounded by her family on the Grand Marshal Float, working her parade wave and soaking in the Spirit of Christmas. The float was decorated by the Millbrook Civitan Club in Kathy’s honor, but she has not been allowed to see it until parade day.
She has announced she is retiring from chairing the annual event, and planning for next year will be turned over to Danae Morgan, the newly hired Special Events and Cultural Arts Director for Millbrook. Over the years it was always volunteers who worked on the committee to plan the event. But as Millbrook grows, so does the crowd, the vendors and activities. She said she is confident Danae will be a great new Captain for the Christmas Ship.
Kathy said she believes that Director Morgan will bring new life and ideas to the parade which annually draws thousands of people to Main Street. There is also a giant Christmas Festival before and after the parade at Village Green Park and requires a tremendous amount of planning and preparation.
“I have no doubt that Danae will do amazing things with the Spirit of Christmas in Millbrook,” Kathy said.
Kathy reflected on the years past and said this year will be a bit sad for her, with the loss of her longtime friend Bob Headrick. Bob and his wife June were Santa’s biggest helpers in Millbrook every Christmas for the past 30 years or so.
Bob passed earlier this year, and Kathy said it is hard to imagine a Millbrook Christmas without his presence. June was always by his side for Christmas events. This year, she will have a special seat on the Judge’s Platform to also watch the parade from a different perspective.
When Kathy first learned she had been chosen to serve as Grand Marshal, she said she was shocked and overwhelmed.
“I just really didn’t expect it, but it is such an honor. So, I will get to ride on the float with my whole family, including the newest grandson Kash Kelley, who is just a month-old.”
She was also surprised at the city’s Christmas Tree Lighting Thursday night when she was brought up on stage and introduced by emcee Bill Roberts to the crowd. Not one to like being in the limelight, Kathy smiled and waved to the crowd of around 2,000 people.
The Village Green Park will come alive prior to the parade at 9 a.m. with over 50 booths and food vendors. There will be live entertainment on the stage prior to the parade at 2 p.m. After the parade, head back to the park for shopping, and maybe pick up dinner from one of the food vendors.
The EAN will be there to cover the event, and we are looking forward to having a shot of Kathy riding on that Grand Marshall float with her precious family.
Merry Christmas everyone!
