‘Treasures of Christmas’ celebrated in Bell

By: Carrie A. Mizell

From elaborately decorated floats and beauty queens to horse-drawn buggies, there were nearly 80 entries in the Town of Bell’s annual Christmas parade.
Members of the community came together on Saturday and flanked both sides of US 129 in an effort to get the best vantage point of the parade.

Riverside Christian School’s float won first place in the
Youth/Educational Organization category.

This year’s parade theme was ‘Treasures of Christmas’ and though each float was decorated differently, the theme remained the same, faith and family being the true ‘treasures’ of the Christmas season.
Trophies were awarded to the top parade entries.
In the business category, Bell Family Healthcare placed first, followed by Captital City Bank in second place; and Central Florida Electric’s bucket truck, with a reindeer waving down at the crowds placed third.
Carter Malm dressed as Sponge Bob placed first in the family/individual category. Second place went to the Rayburn family, and the Boyce family placed third this year.
New Hope Family Church entered the first place winning float in the religious organization category, followed by Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in second place, and Trenton United Methodist Church in third place.
Children from Riverside Christian School showed the crowd through their first place winning float that the treasures of Christmas are God’s greatest gifts. Falling behind Riverside Christian School in the youth/educational organization category was the Bell JROTC Cadets in second place and Tri-County School of Dance in third place.

Santa visited with Mrs. Iris Roberts and Miss Iris Roberts
during weekend Christmas festivities.

In the civic organization category, the Character Council of Gilchrist County’s float took first place, followed by AARP Chapter 2123 in second place with their Santa decorated tractor, and the Bell Library in third place.
The Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office’s gold star decorated tree propelled their float to first place in the government entity category.
Best decorated float in the military organization category went to the John Hance Osteen Camp 770-Sons of Confederate Veterans. SCV members adorned their southern inspired float with pine needles and palmetto fans.
Bell High School’s Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) placed first in the best decorated non-motorized vehicle category.
In the best decorated motorized vehicle category, Daniel Hart’s Bell Farm & Feed entry took first place.
Wearing their Santa hats, Barbara Williams steered her horse down US 129. Williams’ entry took first place in the equestrian category.
Firefighters and children representing the North Gilchrist Fire Department, Station 2, urged parade goers to practice safety in their homes to protect against the fire dangers.
Just before the horses closed out the 2009 Bell Christmas Parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus made their way down the highway riding in a John Deere Gator drawn carriage that was also painted green with yellow wooden wheels. With rosy pink cheeks and a jolly smile, Santa waved to the crowd, much to the delight of all the small children in attendance.