BY SARAH STEPHENS
PHOTOS BY AMANDA PEVEY AND BOB EALUM (and a few area contributors that shared their favorite photos)
Saturday part of the Elmore/Autauga News Crew made the trip to Vida, a speck of a community in Autauga County, that has the heart of a lion. We decorated our EAN golf cart in a hurry, and the parade kicked off at 2 p.m. exactly. If you attend the parade, you get to see it twice. If you do not understand that you just have to attend next year.
Their annual Christmas Parade draws people from across the state. Many people, no matter where they are currently living, come back for this parade. Over the years it has become a big part of the heartbeat of this small town. There are vibrant floats, tractors, trucks, beautiful old cars and more fire trucks than you can “shake a stick at.” Overseeing it all are deputies with the Autauga County Sheriff’s Office and multiple volunteers.
In speaking of the line of fire trucks, they come particularly from the smaller, completely volunteer fire departments that are filled with men and women who work full-time jobs. But in the blink of an eye, they converge wherever one of their neighbors needs help, even if they are just coming off a long shift. During the parade, the horns and sirens blare through the air as children’s eyes open wide and they clap with excitement. Most of these smaller communities in Autauga County don’t have their own parade, but come parade day in Vida, participants come and put on a show.
Vida is a relatively quiet place. When sirens are heard outside of parade day, the community grapevine is better at spreading the news or summoning help than you can imagine. They know each other. They love each other. They support each other. We sure could use more of that today.
In the parade there are horses, and off-road vehicles, princesses, and even Batman. There is a sense of patriotism, and community. The conversations we had with so many were extremely enjoyable as we sat at the lunch (no charge) for all attendees in the Vida Community Center following the parade. We also bought the amazing camp stew that is part of their annual fundraiser for the Center. The Boston Butt and Chicken had sold out. The stew is one of the best I have ever had. Well worth the price, so I brought eight quarts home.
The Community Center is a testament to the ingenuity and work ethic of this small, but mighty population. The residents and family members built it from the ground up, creating a happy ending to a longtime dream. Today it serves as a multi-purpose facility. Every time I have ever visited, I am greeted with a warm welcome, and the smell of something delicious cooking in the back kitchen.
Saturday was no different. Santa welcomed the kids to tell him what they want for Christmas. We watched as old friends once again sat across from each other catching up on all the local news. But it is much more than just the immediate community that makes this annual event so successful. People really do come from all over the state to show support. It is a very popular spot for hopeful politicians who like to linger and talk about the state of affairs. If you want to know how someone really feels about something, find an older Vida resident. They are straight-talking, very direct, and honest – something that we adore.
We thank the Vida community and the Community Center for such a wonderful day of parading, feasting, and fellowship. Enjoy the huge photo gallery, thanks to the efforts of Bob Ealum and Amanda Pevey, as well as a few local contributors who shared their photos with us. I was the driver and the thrower of candy and goodies. We are absolutely positive that wherever you live in our area, you will see some familiar faces. If you are reading this while living far away, we hope it brings a little hometown Christmas spirit to your heart.
For the Vida parade there are always way more adults than children. They are just as eager, if not more, to gather up the candy and the baubles. The excitement on their faces is heartwarming.
So, thank you Vida. Thank you to all participants that made Saturday so very special. We wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. When next year rolls around, and you see advertisements for the parade, make a plan. It really is a unique and very special event. Vida may be small, but they really are a Big Deal. Visit and stay a while.
